Category Archives: Stories

A Bright Spot Amid Storms

Last week brought torrential rain and fast waters to areas of Vermont that were, ironically, marking the one-year anniversary of devastating floods in July 2023. With the muscle memory of the year prior, municipalities, businesses, and neighbors jumped into action to deliver emergency and repair services as well as resources for the long process of rebuilding. Like last year, Front Porch Forum shifted into response mode and published critical messages as soon as they were submitted.

Here are just some of the many postings from around the state. We share them here as a beautiful reminder of how Vermonters value community and step up for each other in times of crisis.

Giving Thanks
Carol, Moretown

We had a tree come down and block our small brook, which became a raging river due to the storm. It blocked the stream sending it over its bank and into our driveway. Took the driveway and half of our town road. While the road was still passable, we could not leave our home due to a 6-ft-deep hole that once was our driveway.

My can’t-sit-still husband decided he would build a bridge! A neighbor came and brought materials that would help in his endeavor. I can only imagine that after doing so… there may have been second thoughts. Whether out of fear of safety, or just a good belly laugh, the story of bridge building soon spread. Very soon after we were told that the town would be coming to assist.

Martin and his crew came delivering stone to create an out. We are free once again! Still need to repair a major hole, but building a bridge is no longer needed… much to the disappointment of my husband.

A very sincere Thank You to Martin, his crew and to James – not only for their concern, access to the road, which is so very much appreciated, but also for the good laughs that we had imagining the conversation that took place of The Great Bridge Build on Murphy Road!

Town Reports, Road Crew
Barbara, Stowe

I am joining the chorus of gracias, mercis, thank yous, dankas, and more [spelling doesn’t count] The town emergency reports have been extremely helpful, The road crews amazing. Thursday I drove Edson Hill from West Branch and several driveway’s worth of gravel covered Rt 108 and in the time I had breakfast the town crew had cleared the gravel and the only signs were wet spots on the pavement. Our road crews, public and private are amazing. When we are going on “drive abouts” let’s give them a flash of our high beams to say thanks. Let’s remember to dim them after. 

Who Needs Help Recovering from Recent Floods?
Arica, Winooski

It seems Winooski came through the recent rains ok, but many of our surrounding communities did not. Does anyone know of folks hit by the flooding who need help this weekend? I checked the state websites, but they are only listing volunteer opportunities for LAST year’s flood. I guess it’s too soon to have the volunteer opportunities posted for Wednesday’s storm. If you know of someone who needs help this weekend, please let me know. Looking for ways to help.

Wow!
Eric, Waterbury

BIG shoutout to KORE power and the MANY others who offered help on Randall Street and I’m sure all around town to help after the flooding!

I went to get a friend and a small temporary electric hot water heater while my dad and a friend pumped five feet of water out of their basement. By the time we got back to muck out the remaining mud a dozen employees from KORE had already hauled it all out (400 bucket loads worth!)

We were lucky and it was just our basement but I saw people driving and biking around offering help to total strangers and it was great to see! Others offered food and drinks, etc. Flooding sucks but since Irene it’s been quite remarkable the response from the people and businesses in the community to help lighten the load.

From my sister’s HUHS soccer team, higher-ups from Ben and Jerry’s, the Alchemist (remember the brew pub?) delivering “new” beers WAY back in the day, a next generation of Harwood athletes, to now KORE and MANY others, the dingy old basements in Waterbury have welcomed quite the crowd.

As things change in town, as is apt to happen over a number of years, it’s pretty cool how nothing has changed in the gracious and sympathetic nature of the community to help friends, neighbors, and strangers! 

Re: Kudos Again!
Jane, Stowe

We had a complete washout of the dirt road leading up to our home and several others above Topnotch. By 6am, when my husband called Percy for help, as they usually service our road year round, they had already received 40 calls!!

Despite that, they were here to restore one lane access this afternoon, and will return tomorrow.

Outstanding service to our whole community, and they must be exhausted after all their efforts in the whole Stowe Hollow complex. 

Help During July 10 Flooding
Jennifer, Waitsfield

I want to thank all the brave men and women who came to the rescue last night of my mother and I after Shepard Brook turned nasty. The patrol from Chester, aided by our amazing local teams, successfully got us to higher ground in a Zeppelin. A special shout-out to Mr Irish for waiting in the fire truck with us while our overnight accommodations ride arrived. Amazing people doing amazing deeds! 

Huntington Neighbors Are the Best
Liza, Huntington

I just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank Troy and Lisa Liberty. They went way above and beyond last night during the flooding to help me in a time of need. Very, very grateful for this town and the people that live in it and all that we do to support each other. 

Thank You West Bolton for the Love
Jenn, West Bolton

Brandon and I would like to graciously thank this amazing community for the love and support we have received since Thursday. As many know, our house (the little red house on the corner) was hit hard on either side from the rivers. It has been one of the worst and scariest times of our lives. The way this community stepped up was unreal. People came running with shovels, tractors, and wheelbarrows asking what they could do. We organized a clean up day and nearly 50 neighbors showed up to help York Road, many of which I met for the first time that day.

Thank you Connor for getting us up, thank you Jeff for picking us up, thank you Susan for housing me while I cried, thank you Chris for digging out our neighbors, thank you Dickie for giving us a driveway, thank you Eric + team for giving us the road, thank you Zack for the dump run, thank you to the 50 friends who showed up to spend a day working in our yard, and thank you to everyone who has stopped to give a hug and condolences. This support is unreal!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Fred, Marshfield

In response to the flooding that has devastated much of our central Vermont communities, Twin Valley Senior Center is here to help. TVSC is offering assistance to flood victims and volunteers. TVSC has a large space that you can use for potential community meetings or individual meetings with state and federal agencies. We will also provide free lunch to anyone affected and volunteers.

Twin Valley Senior Center cares about our communities and is ready to do our part to help. 

Thank You, Peacham!
Jenny, Peacham

We are so grateful to dear friends and neighbors in Peacham, Barnet, and St. J who came today — 60 people — to help us save precious things from our home before the flood mold sets in. People mucked out, saved our children’s toys, pet meds, our winter clothes, our snow tires, etc.; double-checked on safety in the home and helped us make decisions; drove endless shuttles to a new home for now in Peacham; made food and fed volunteers; power washed muck off furniture; sorted out possessions to dry; lovingly salvaged and dried single photos and kids’ artwork; took clothes and quilts to wash and dry; built stone steps for a safe passage to the house; rescued items from our barn down the river; documented the full disaster for insurance; gave hugs. Many, many other people gave offers of housing, car loans, furniture, and child help. This is truly the best community in the world. It has been such a hard day, but also one filled with love and kindness, and we are so grateful.

Displaced Chickens
Monica, Plainfield

If anyone needs a foster/rehome for any displaced chickens let us know. Jeremy and I took in three hens from last year’s Barre floods and we have room in our coop to host some homeless birds who may need safe shelter.

Unfortunately we can’t take a rooster as our beloved boy would be aggrieved by another fellow to compete for his ladies.

P.S.  Thanks to FPF for their rapid-fire distribution of postings during this chaotic time — information flow is critical in disaster recovery; thank you for this contribution to our community!

Looking for Fayston Neighbors Who Need a Hand
Aaron Lamb, Fayston

My property damage was minor, but for many Fayston town residents they suffered substantial property damage and loss. Because of that, I’m looking to get a crew of folks interested in donating their time to help those locally.

If you don’t like physical labor, but still want to help? We could use donated water for those with well water too dangerous to drink, or donuts to fuel the recovery efforts of the manual laborers… whatever you can offer. I know of some families without power or those emotionally/physically drained that could use a meal.

Tomorrow I am kicking-off a volunteer program of helping your Fayston neighbor.  No major equipment needed for this job, just sturdy hands and a rake/shovel. We are hoping to clear the sand, rocks and various debris from the property. Nothing crazy, but good manual fun, sweat and a workout with your neighbors. Let’s get to know each other.

Once this house is done, we can move onto help another neighbor. If you are in need of this volunteer assistance, please reach out to me and I will put you on the list. Unfortunately, our skills are limited as we are not contractors, but for some slightly bigger jobs, we are looking for those willing to donate tractor/equipment time. Let’s rebuild Fayston! 

Snipe Ireland Neighbors!
Olive, Richmond

Howdy Snipe Ireland folks (or surrounding roads)!

Fortunately we are not cut off by the road closure, so if anyone needs groceries or supplies, I am happy to get them to you!

We can also leave supplies by our mailbox if anyone who wants to bike/walk up needs them. Just let me know what I can grab at the store.

Hope everyone is doing ok!