Hurricaine Irene hit New England pretty hard this past weekend. I’m sure we’ve all seen the pictures and video’s online and on the news. Central and Southern Vermont seem to have been especially hard, taking out roads, bridges (even the iconic covered bridges), homes, businesses and towns. Thousands are out of power. It’s heart wrenching having to see such a beautiful place under complete destruction.The next three pictures are from Wilmington, VT.
For more from this album.
For more from this album.
For an aerial view: WCAX News
This has been pretty popular on the Weather Channel. The bridge now lies 1/4 mile downstream, upside down – still in tact. (By the way, Marvie from the Weather Channel, who lives next to this bridge, my boyfriend saw you and he now wants to drive down there and give you a giant hug for your loss of the bridge.)
I remember in 1997, Montgomery, Vermont was hit pretty hard by a flash flood. The entire town was under water. Buildings and roads were destroyed and it took the town some time to rebuild. Driving thru the town after the water had receeded, I’m sure I didn’t understand completely the tole it takes on a town but the images are still in my mind today. Now I say I will try not to live next to a river without being on a hill.
Now, Vermont has been hit again, only worse and more widespread. Even though it may not have been my hometown that was hit the hardest, Vermont as a whole is a community and this has effected everyone. Some have lost their lives, some have lost their homes and/or businesses. Some towns are even completely cut off due to road closures. The Burlington Intervale has been completely flooded and crops have been destoyed. The Alchemist, a local brewery in Waterbury, has been destroyed. Homes have been seen floating down rivers. but along with others in the state, and as true Vermonters, they are not dwelling on the bad. If one thing is for certain, Vermonters are some of the strongest people – they are already ready to pick up and come back from this better than ever.
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| Winooski Falls |
The heart of the matter is, it’s going to take some time to clean up the mess in New England. Some say it’s still not even over as the water needs to come off the mountains and head towards the coast where they anticipant more flooding along the way. FEMA trucks have already arrived in Vermont and are ready to begin the process. If you would like to help out, please reach out to the Red Cross, Vermont Food Bank, assist in local emergency shelters. If you live close enough – reach out to a neighbor or the elderly who need help picking up.
More ways to help and volunteers needed.
More ways to help and volunteers needed.
Photos taken from the Burlington Free Press and Facebook photos.