Flood update: Sat., July 22
July 22, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti Organizers of the flood response in Waterbury say they think this weekend is the last big push to coordinate groups of volunteers. They also encourage local residents interested in assisting to volunteer in other nearby communities where flood recovery work is ongoing such as Barre and Montpelier, Cambridge and Johnson.
Appliances for recycling near the State Office Complex. Photo by Gordon Miller
In Waterbury, efforts are being coordinated from the municipal offices. Crews for Saturday and Sunday are being organized in shifts using online sign-ups.
Tasks include hands-on cleaning, hauling trash and dehumidifiers, distributing lunches, and administrative tasks such as assisting residents with assembling information for FEMA applications and insurance documentation.
Shifts go through 4 p.m. Saturday. Coordinators prefer volunteers use the online signup sheets but individuals also may just check in at the offices for an assignment. Organizers are also sending some crews to Middlesex this weekend to assist with cleanup there.
To contact the Waterbury Recovery Team with requests for help and offers to assist, use the online form or email to Waterburyhelp@gmail.com or leave a message at (802) 585-1152.
Those volunteering for hands-on work should dress appropriately with sturdy shoes, gloves and clothes to get dirty. Those assisting with administrative tasks should bring a phone or laptop, a charger and headphones. Masks and water are available and lunch will be provided.
Organizers ask that all volunteers be at least 18 years old.
The Waterbury Recovery Team is made up of Select Board and Board of Civil Authority members and other and community volunteers.
Lunch for volunteers on Elm Street. Sisters Maryanne Larkin and Theresa Wood work the grill late last week. Behind them, building owner Jeff Larkin talks with a news crew from Channel 5. Photo by Gordon Miller
Local information
The Waterbury town website has a resource document with detailed information that is updated regularly. It contains links to state and federal sources of information. It’s on the website home page in the News section. Here is the link.
Supplies outside the municipal building. Photo by Gordon Miller
Mold information
Stopping and preventing the spread of mold is a critical part of flood-damage cleanup.
Response coordinators say they have received a number of inquiries about mold remediation and prevention. They have contacted professionals and gathered a list of best practices for doing this work on your own. That information is in a document linked to the resource document on the town website. The Vermont Department of Health also has much information regarding mold on its website.
Volunteers are available to assist with doing this work. Anyone who would like assistance should contact the response team using the request form, email or phone listed above.
Register with FEMA
At the Armory Saturday/Sunday
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at the Armory building, 294 Armory Drive, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. Anyone whose property was impacted by the flood is encouraged to stop in and register with FEMA. Details on information you will need to file a claim are on the resource document on the town website. Also look for information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.
Help at the Waterbury Public Library/by appointment
Volunteers are available to assist people with assembling FEMA applications from taking photos to scanning documents, etc. They will be at the Waterbury Public Library through Saturday, Aug. 12. The volunteers are not affiliated with FEMA - they’re just local residents who can assist in navigating the system. The deadline for starting your FEMA application is Aug.14.
Hours at the library for FEMA help are Monday through Wednesday, 4-8 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 1-5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If those times are not convenient, volunteers can meet with people at the Brain Injury Alliance of Vermont offices at 1 Derby Lane, Suite 2, in Waterbury (Near the Irving station along River Road) by appointment only. Email support@biavt.org to set up an appointment.
Road Closures
All roads in Waterbury and Duxbury are open.
Elm Street-Randall Street: One-way traffic entering on Elm and exiting Randall onto Park Row.
Waterbury Area Good Neighbor Fund assistance
Individual financial and food assistance is available from the Good Neighbor Fund. The fund can help with immediate needs such as rental assistance, temporary lodging costs, home repairs, replacement of personal property such as appliances, moving or storage expenses, cleaning, losses of personal medical equipment. A longer list is on the town resource document. Call or text Rev. Peter Plagge at 802-560-4667 for inquiries and requests.
Lost and Found
A spot in the rear of the open lot at 51 South Main Street has been designated for Lost and Found items such as trash cans, lawn furniture, steps, etc. that may have been relocated during the flooding. Bring found items to 51 S. Main or visit here to find your lost items. Note: This is for larger household items, not for valuables!
Photo by Gordon Miller
CLOSURES & CANCELLATIONS
In general, know that flood-impacted businesses may not be open or may not have regular hours right now. We will list closures as we become aware of them.
In addition, Waterbury Economic Development Director Mark Pomilio Jr. is collecting information to share with business owners as they respond and recover from this disaster. Updates will go in the Revitalizing Waterbury business newsletter that’s posted on the Revitalizing Waterbury website and emailed to anyone who signs up for the distribution list.
Demo is underway inside the Wine Vault. Photo by Gordon Miller
Bargain Boutique - closed until further notice
Prohibition Pig Pub and Brewery - closed until further notice
Red Poppy Cakery - closed until further notice
Vermont State Parks - Little River State Park is open. Waterbury Center Day Use Park and its remote camping sites are reopened as of today, July 22. Check for updates online at vtstateparks.com including results of water testing at swimming areas that may affect beach closures.
Waterbury Conservation Commission - July 11 meeting with a presentation about the Community Values mapping project is postponed to Aug. 8.
Waterbury Flea Market - closed until further notice
Waterbury Sports - closed until further notice
Wine Vault - closed until further notice
Wi-Fi
Mud-covered items from Bargain Boutique. Photo by Gordon Miller
Xfinity WiFi Hotspots are available for free for all Vermonters to use – even if they are not Xfinity Internet customers. Find locations on this map: Xfinity.com/wifi. To connect, look for “xfinitywifi” on a device list of available networks and launch a browser. Sign-in options will appear for both Xfinity customers and non-customers. Xfinity customers may sign in with their account info or download the Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app and sign in. Non-Xfinity Internet customers should look for the “Get Connected” section, agree to the Terms and Conditions, and get connected. Non-customers can renew their free sessions every two hours.
Where to donate
The Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund is a local fund run by the parent nonprofit that also oversees the Waterbury Area Food Shelf. It can accept donations by check or online via PayPal to help community members in need after the flood. It is providing funds to individuals for a wide variety of emergency expenses such as storage units, replacing appliances, temporary housing expenses. Instructions on donating are online at waterburycast.org.
The Rotary Club of Waterbury is coordinating meals for local residents both affected by flooding and those volunteering with cleanup. It has started a special collection called the Flood Food Fund to help pay for the community lunches and dinners that are giving hard-hit residents and businesses and volunteers a break. The Waterbury Area Food Shelf is also a resource to ensure everyone has meals covered. Links go to their websites where you can find donation information for both of these nonprofits.
In addition, Stowe Street Cafe has collected $18,000 so far and has passed along $5,000 each to Rotary, the Waterbury Area Food Shelf and the Good Neighbor Fund. The remainder will be used to cover meals for local residents in the coming weeks coordinated with the food shelf. These donations were collected through the cafe’s Pay It Forward program where customers donate in person at the cafe, on the cafe’s online ordering menu, or just via Venmo @stowestreetcafe. Read more about that here.
Seen on Rt. 2. Photo by Gordon Miller
The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund has been created to raise money to provide grants to Vermont's small business owners impacted by the July 10 flooding. The fund will provide grants of $2,500-$10,000 to cover costs for equipment replacement, supplies and help with clean-up, etc. By partnering with Capstone Community Action, it ensures that donations are tax-deductible and are being distributed responsibly. Read more and donate here. Applications for businesses should be available this week.
From the Vermont Community Foundation: The VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 has been established to support Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall across Vermont in 2023. When a disaster strikes, we all feel the impact and look for ways to offer help. The Vermont Community Foundation helps coordinate philanthropic response after disasters.