Cavendish Update: Emergency Post 7/11/23

Cyrus Gross helping to keep the shelter from flooding.

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                                    EMERGENCY FLOOD POST 7/11/23

 The combination of saturated ground and very heavy rain has created a similar situation to Irene. At the moment, many of our roads are damaged and closed and it’s not easy getting in or out of town. Depot St and Mill St. bridges are closed at the moment. For the record, we beat Irene as far as rainfall-8 inches versus 7. Guess not the record we’d necessarily want to break.

 While this morning will be spent in assessing our situation, we have to start this post by wishing Gloria Leven a very happy 100th birthday today. She’s missing out on her party today unfortunately.

CURRENT SITUATION

• The Cavendish Shelter-located at the Cavendish Baptist Church- is open 24/7 and serving three meals and snacks. Breakfast starts at 8 am; lunch 11:30 and dinner at 5:30. Showers are available. Free WiFi and places to charge electronic devices (bring your own chargers). Please go there for information.

• We have a number of people that have been evacuated that are staying with neighbors and some are at the shelter.

• 341 GMP customers in town are without power. Most of the outage is from the Power Plant Rd box. It’s going to take time to get to this area as the water needs to recede.

• Our first responders will be out on ATVs this morning delivering water, food and supplies as needed.

• Please check the Cavendish Facebook page regularly for updates

HOW TO HELP

• Immediate needs, which can be dropped off at the shelter, include: bottled water (for those without power); fresh fruit; cleaning supplies (buckets, brooms, clothes etc.; toothbrushes (brand new only) and toothpaste.

• We will be needing food for the shelter but will post a list later this morning on Facebook

• Cleaning crews will be needed. Will be posting what’s needed and where later this morning.

• We will be setting up a way to make donations to help those most impacted by the flood.

IF YOU NEED HELP: If you are having an emergency, please call 911. For non emergencies, call the town office. They open at 9. 802-226-7291

THANK YOU: So many people have stepped to the plate and are helping in the most unbelievable ways. Our first responders-Cavendish and Proctorsville Fire Departments-are doing an incredible job at rescue and keeping people safe. The shelter crew is keeping people fed and housed. The town office is answering calls and helping to guide help where it’s needed. Most of all thank you to the people of Cavendish for keeping it together and doing what we always do-take care of one another. If you have to have this kind of emergency, there is no better place to be then Cavendish.

If you’re feeling a bit dazed, confused, anxious this morning, it’s okay. You’re having a perfectly normal reaction to a very abnormal situation.

                          We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.