Cavendish Update 7/14/23: Day 4 Flood Emergency
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Thank you lily calabrese for the new sign and all the incredible salads.
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EMERGENCY FLOOD POST DAY 4: 7/14/23
Practicing gratitude, listing at least three good things that have happened to you during the day, contributes to a better sense of well-being. Our gratitude list is way more than three.
• Cleo the cat, who had disappeared Monday when his humans came to the shelter, was found.
• Lori, from DG Body Works, came and did chair massages at the shelter last night. Thank you so much. It helped a lot.
• Steve is now our shelter store manager and has made shopping so much easier.
• Several churches Relief Programs have arrived on the scene Church of Christ and Assembly of God both of Springfield have stocked our shelves with everything you need to clean up including shovels, brooms, a wheel barrow, and so much more
• World Central Kitchen showed up at noon with sandwiches from Singleton just before we found out we had run out of lunches. They will now be helping us with food.
• Last night’s storm was not anywhere near the predictions and we’re doing fine
• A special thanks to Lily Calabrese, an amazing potter and Bob Cat operator, who made the new shelter sign and has been keeping us stocked with her amazing salads.
• The transfer station will be open an extra day today and has new containers.
SHELTER INFO: The shelter at the Cavendish Baptist Church is open 24/7 offering three meals and snacks. You can dine in, take out or have delivered. If you need more food for work crews call 802-226-7131. Also available, all of which is free, store equipped with cleaning supplies and a whole lot more; shower, wifi, electronics charging and emergency housing.
WEATHER FORECAST: Yes more rain is in our future. The forecast however this morning looks way better than it did this time yesterday.
ROADS: YES YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE: The following roads are closed Bates, Carleton, Depot, Winery, Brook, Densmore, Gulf. Everything else is iffy and could be closed at any time.
131 by Glimmerstone is very iffy and now has Jersey Barriers, a traffic light and flagger. Be nice to the flagger. Hopefully the one lane will hold by Glimmerstone. If it doesn't we have a back-up plan.
You can get to Springfield by taking 131 to 103 to 11. It’s a straight shot but there are now flaggers, jersey barriers etc. in various locations. Plan on extra time. You can get to Rutland the normal route of 131 to 103 to 7. Claremont is a bit trickier, but people are getting there via Springfield. We will continue to post on road conditions.
WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE: Water Conservation Notice: Cavendish Municipal Water System users are requested to reduce water consumption as much as possible during the time period: 5 pm Thursday, July 13th through 5 pm Friday, July 21th
During this period we are expecting excessive water usage as people clean up from the recent flooding. Your cooperation is needed and all users are urged, wherever possible, to defer activities which may require large amounts of water.
With good user cooperation and conservative use there should be an ample supply of water. For more information please call the Town Office at 802-226-7291.
CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION: Starting today, Friday, the transfer station is open from 7-5; Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 10-5. Thank you Willie!
WORK CREWS: We have a list at the shelter of who needs help, so we can direct volunteer workers where needed.. If you need help, call 802-226-7131 and be specific about your needs. If you are volunteering, please stop by the shelter so we can make sure you have what you need and send you to locations that are most in need
IF YOU HAVE PROPERTY DAMAGE: Call the Shelter 802-226-7131 or the town if you need assistance 802-226-7291. Volunteers are out in the worst hit areas. Let them know what you need. We now have plenty of fans to assist with drying. Lots of cleaning supplies are at the Shelter Store. Remember you’ll need to toss mops and other cleaning tools after you’ve finished. Please follow the Cleaning Up After a Flood guidelines.
Register with VT 211 by calling or going to their website Vermont211.org
FEMA: There is now a website for Vermont Flooding EM-3595-VT. You will be able to submit an application at this site, but it’s not fully operational at this time. It’s recommended that people register as often relief organizations will ask for your FEMA claim number
FREE DRINKING WATER TEST KITS: During and after flooding, private water systems (wells or springs) can become contaminated with microorganisms — such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause serious illness. Community members should assume their water is contaminated if floodwater has reached their well or spring. However, free drinking water test kits are available. Call 802-338-4724 to order free drinking water test kits to find out if a well or spring was impacted by floodwater.
HOW TO HELP
• Immediate needs for the shelter, include: Work gloves and dehumidifiers
• Gift certificates for places like Home Depot, local eateries and gas for those most impacted by the flood.
• Checks for shelter and community support can be sent to Cavendish Baptist Church PO Box 425 Cavendish VT 05142. Checks should be payable to Cavendish Baptist Church, with Emergency Shelter noted on the check. This will be used to help those most impacted by the flood and to buy needed items for the shelter. For some reason, the pay pal account isn’t working.
• Check on your neighbor and help where you can.
Remember that we’re wired for resiliency and we will get through this better and stronger for the experience. You may be feeling very anxious and worried, which is a very normal reaction to a very abnormal situation. You’re not alone and things will get better.
We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.