A year ago, the summer floods began, drowning central Vermont. Throughout July the rain kept coming, causing landslides around the state, including in Ripton where a family lost their entire home. Tornadoes touched down in western Addison County and constant rainfall drenched farm fields around the County. Then, in early August, torrential rains hit our area, centered on East Middlebury, Hancock, Middlebury, and Ripton, closing Routes 116 and 125 for weeks, damaging town facilities, flooding homes and businesses, and upending the lives of thousands of local residents. On the night the hard rain came, dozens of people were saved by first responders and swift water rescue teams. People hosted stranded strangers and neighbors helped each other through a frightening and stressful time.
Last summer was incredibly difficult for so many Vermonters and while progress has been made, recovery continues a year later. I know today’s heavy rain and storm warnings are causing anxiety for many who lived through the trauma of last summer. Remember to stay safe during a flood, check on neighbors, don’t travel or drive through water, and listen to weather reports and warnings. If you need emergency assistance call 9-1-1; if you need resources or services call 2-1-1, and if you need extra help accessing assistance, you can reach out to me.
As I reflect back on the year, I know my family was extremely fortunate that the floods didn’t harm us directly, but many of my constituents were not so lucky. Thus, the destruction the floods created has been central to my work as a senator and that’s how I remember the past year. I wrote my first email to constituents about the flood exactly one year ago today, and was regularly available to my constituents throughout the summer of floods and months of recovery. I have provided information, connected people to resources, advocated for individuals and towns, and volunteered hundreds of hours to make sure people have what they need to recover and rebuild. I invited Congresswoman Balint to Addison County to assess the damage and advocate for federal assistance, and worked with the United Way to create the Addison County Responds Flood Relief Fund that awarded emergency funding to people impacted by floods.
When the legislative session started, I constantly reminded my colleagues and state officials about the flood recovery needs of towns statewide. As Chair of the Senate Government Operations Committee, I was the lead architect of Act 143 Government Response, Recovery & Resiliency to Natural Disasters which includes state funding for Addison County towns flooded last August, creates a Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, formalizes and funds the state Swift Water Rescue Team, and improves disaster planning, communication, coordination, and training at the state and local level.
I hope Vermont escapes another natural disaster this summer, but Vermont will have an election this summer. As you reflect on what type of senator you want in your corner, I hope you vote for the one who knows that her most important job as a state senator is to be available to help her constituents when you need it most, and then pass legislation to make our state stronger and more resilient for everyone. I work hard to be your champion all year round, no matter the circumstances.
Stay safe out there. Take care of yourself and those around you, and reach out if you need help.
Ruth for Vermont 