Howard is, of course, first in the hearts of his countryfolks. Flooding is not. Very sorry to hear and see how so many places, including Vermont, have been hard-hit by this storm. It puts our recent "warm" weather in perspective. Although there are some people who die of that as well. I was rather surprised to learn how slowly Lake Champlain falls. Here's hoping listener and her home are not harmed by a falling tree.
Hi Alan, we're only about 351' above sea level, as we're in the Champlain Valley. The mountains, including Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, are visible from here and only about a 20 minute drive away. But our house came through fine and amazingly so did our trees. Here in Chittenden County (in and around Burlington) and Franklin County (between here and the Canadian border) were spared the brunt. It's the rest of the state that is devastated today. About 300 state roads closed, at least 6 bridges wiped out. As far as I know, one death...of a 21 year old woman who went to look at the flooding river in WIlmington and fell in. I saw photos of 1000 lb propane tanks being washed downstream, cars and houses too (we hope no one was in them).
Here's a bit more from today. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-29/vermont-s-covered-bridges-lost-as-irene-brings-worst-flooding-in-75-years.html
The word up here is that, while we too had flooding, the two VT counties most in the NW part of the state got off easy...and no one else did. Many areas got worse flooding than the historic 1927 flood and 1938 hurricane! This is HUGE.
Well, I just emailed and phoned the offices of Pat Leahy, Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Governor Shumlin to say:
I know you are hurting with Vermont over the damage left by Hurricane Irene. We are heartbroken to hear of homes deluged and lost, and rivers whose courses have been altered. Probably the most meaningful symbol of Vermont’s loss is the loss of so many covered bridges.
I am writing to suggest two things:
*With the economy also in tatters, could we please put Vermonters to work rebuilding Vermont? This could be done both through accepting contracts from Vermont firms and through a Vermont Jobs “New Deal”-style work program.
*Moreover, could we find Vermonters who are skilled craftspeople to rebuild and replace our covered bridges? Covered Bridges are such a part of Vermont’s character, tourism and history, and this one step would best encourage and uplift our great State in this traumatic and sorrowful time.
With prayers, hopes and confidence...
The surprise for me was that the staffer I had the most meaningful conversation with was the woman who picked up at Governor Shumlin's office. She liked the ideas I offered, while explaining that they are still in "rescue" mode today. There has been additional loss of life ~ two people in Rutland County. :-( There is also a very worried family who haven't been able to reach their son, as electricity and cell towers are out. And that's just an example. But she affirmed the good of rebuilding with Vermonters and rebuilding our classic covered bridges, as they are part of our identity here. Yeah. I not only felt heard. I told her she could tell the Governor that I didn't work for him or vote for him, but when he addressed Vermonters yesterday he became my governor. I have tears in my eyes, as I begin to take in the reality of the depth of Vermont's loss.
listener, this is from Reed, about 20 minutes ago: Reed Webster I've still got no telephone or internet at home and this android is funky...3 houses lost just down the road from me...sad!
Howard Dean is First.
ReplyDeleteIrene is last.
Funny how when I set up today's photo and title, I imagined that the rest of New England would come of worse than Vermont in the storm. Heh.
The covered bridge at Simon Pearce in Quechee is a loss...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2oDT_fV6Vs&feature=share
Another covered bridge is lost at Lower Bartonsville
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2095508065389
Ottauquechee Iron Bridge, Route 12
https://fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320629_2274766315827_1448770809_32531823_6945459_s.jpg
Route 100, south of Pittsfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQaCDlRUywU&sns=fb
A collection of other places around Vermont
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150298208962726.362855.662297725
Howard is, of course, first in the hearts of his countryfolks. Flooding is not. Very sorry to hear and see how so many places, including Vermont, have been hard-hit by this storm. It puts our recent "warm" weather in perspective. Although there are some people who die of that as well. I was rather surprised to learn how slowly Lake Champlain falls. Here's hoping listener and her home are not harmed by a falling tree.
ReplyDeletelistener--is your house on high ground?
Hi Alan, we're only about 351' above sea level, as we're in the Champlain Valley. The mountains, including Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, are visible from here and only about a 20 minute drive away. But our house came through fine and amazingly so did our trees. Here in Chittenden County (in and around Burlington) and Franklin County (between here and the Canadian border) were spared the brunt. It's the rest of the state that is devastated today. About 300 state roads closed, at least 6 bridges wiped out. As far as I know, one death...of a 21 year old woman who went to look at the flooding river in WIlmington and fell in. I saw photos of 1000 lb propane tanks being washed downstream, cars and houses too (we hope no one was in them).
ReplyDeleteOur Library staff meeting is on, so off I go...
Wow. By high ground I meant locally, above the flood plain of any nearby river.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you and yours, not to mention your house, are safe and well.
ReplyDeleteLotsa guests, this morning, lol!
ReplyDeleteKinda gray; kinda cool. Wonderful!!
Here's a bit more from today.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-29/vermont-s-covered-bridges-lost-as-irene-brings-worst-flooding-in-75-years.html
The word up here is that, while we too had flooding, the two VT counties most in the NW part of the state got off easy...and no one else did. Many areas got worse flooding than the historic 1927 flood and 1938 hurricane! This is HUGE.
Well, I just emailed and phoned the offices of Pat Leahy, Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Governor Shumlin to say:
ReplyDeleteI know you are hurting with Vermont over the damage left by Hurricane Irene. We are heartbroken to hear of homes deluged and lost, and rivers whose courses have been altered. Probably the most meaningful symbol of Vermont’s loss is the loss of so many covered bridges.
I am writing to suggest two things:
*With the economy also in tatters, could we please put Vermonters to work rebuilding Vermont? This could be done both through accepting contracts from Vermont firms and through a Vermont Jobs “New Deal”-style work program.
*Moreover, could we find Vermonters who are skilled craftspeople to rebuild and replace our covered bridges? Covered Bridges are such a part of Vermont’s character, tourism and history, and this one step would best encourage and uplift our great State in this traumatic and sorrowful time.
With prayers, hopes and confidence...
The surprise for me was that the staffer I had the most meaningful conversation with was the woman who picked up at Governor Shumlin's office. She liked the ideas I offered, while explaining that they are still in "rescue" mode today. There has been additional loss of life ~ two people in Rutland County. :-( There is also a very worried family who haven't been able to reach their son, as electricity and cell towers are out. And that's just an example. But she affirmed the good of rebuilding with Vermonters and rebuilding our classic covered bridges, as they are part of our identity here. Yeah. I not only felt heard. I told her she could tell the Governor that I didn't work for him or vote for him, but when he addressed Vermonters yesterday he became my governor. I have tears in my eyes, as I begin to take in the reality of the depth of Vermont's loss.
My heart is with Vermont. Such an unimaginable disaster. Hard to process it.
ReplyDeleteAnd in case I get "guest-ed", this is SusanD.
♥listener♥
ReplyDeleteMy heart's with Susan's. So much love and light from here to there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful weather here today, sunny and warm. Just lovely.
ReplyDelete♥ I am so grateful for your kindnesses Vermontwards. ♥
ReplyDeletelistener, it's a small thing, but do add back in your name and grav.
ReplyDeletelistener, this is from Reed, about 20 minutes ago: Reed Webster
ReplyDeleteI've still got no telephone or internet at home and this android is funky...3 houses lost just down the road from me...sad!
puddle...thank-you!!
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out how to add my gravatar. None of the options looks like one I've used before. Idears?
Well, it's something anyway. Bah.
ReplyDeleteClick your picture and you'll get a drop down menu. . . .
ReplyDeleteClick your picture and you'll get a drop down menu. . . .
ReplyDelete*hug* listener. good to see you again.
ReplyDelete