Cavendish Update 7/17/23: Day 7 Flood Recovery

since the baptist church contained the shelter store, abe preached at the cavendish stone church for sunday service. He’s definitely a pulpet preacher.

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                    EMERGENCY FLOOD POST DAY 7: 7/17/23

Just amazing how much work was done, even with the rain, this weekend.

Today we begin the process of closing the shelter. We will be serving breakfast and lunch only. The Shelter store is still open. Please come early to get supplies and what you need as we’ll be relocating the store. Tuesday’s update will provide more information.

In the meantime, the sign is up for Wednesday’s concert on the Proctorsville Green (Gully Boys) and Murdock’s hopes to be open that evening. Things are moving in a great direction.

Again and again people are in awe of Cavendish’s response to take care of one another.  While it’s not our first rodeo, thanks to Irene and other weather events, it’s the willingness of so many to do what they can to help one another. Denise, Lori, Cupcake (DG BodyWorks) and their buddies providing free massages, yoga classes and more throughout the town, setting up on the green, in the fire houses, at the shelter, and who knows where else, has made a big difference in sore muscles. Depot Street has felt like a block party more often than not as everyone is helping out, sharing stories, and laughing.  Goodman’s and their portable pizza oven was icing on the cake to that party.

So many people have come to the shelter and now come back to help. If you get behind Rodney’s truck-Mr. Meals on Wheels-his hand is out with a cool drink, snack etc. for flaggers and road crews (don’t try to pass him). Pang Ting, whose been up to her eyeballs cleaning Murdock’s, came to the shelter yesterday morning and did so many chores we hadn’t been able to get to. She left to continue working on Murdock’s and then stops by on her way to see if there is anything more she could do. And what can I say about the work crews, who are truly miracle workers.

A very special thank you to the McNamara family. Kelly has been cooking the most incredible meals-those breakfast burritos yesterday-that was Kelly. Her Dad-Mr. Clean (Mike) brings the cleaning products and the brawn. Diane is town clerk and she’s my constant text buddy.

 If you want to see resiliency in action, come to Cavendish.

 

SHELTER INFO: The shelter at the Cavendish Baptist Church is offering breakfast and lunch plus snacks today. You can dine in, take out or have delivered. Also available, all of which is free, store; shower, WIFI, electronics charging and emergency housing.

 

IF YOU ARE A RENTER IMPACTED BY THE FLOOD: Please take the following steps

·      Report the damage and unmet needs to the Vermont 2-1-1 website vermont211.org or call 866-652-4636 or 802-652-4636. who you are to help

·      If you have renters insurance file a claim immediately. Note that FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

·      If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.  The fastest and easiest way to apply is to visit disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), wherever you access your mobile applications. If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT, seven days a week, with language translation services available.

·      If you need emergency housing call 800-775-0506

·      File for unemployment if you’ve lost your job, file for unemployment by going to the Department of Labor website https://labor.vermont.gov/StepsForUnemployment

When you apply for assistance, have the following information available:

A current phone number where you can be contacted

• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

• Your Social Security number, if available

• A general list of damage and losses

• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Disaster Resource Center: The various state and federal agencies, along with the Red Cross, have set up a Disaster Resource Center in Ludlow at the Community Center (37 Main St), which will be open today (Monday) from 9-5. The sooner you do this the better. If you need a ride to the Disaster Resource Center, please call 802-226-7131. We do have people who are helping with filling out applications.

 

DUMPSTERS: The dumpsters on Depot Street will be there. Not sure if the transfer station will open today. Check Facebook periodically

 

WHAT’S OPEN IN LUDLOW: Will have a better list in the next few days:

• Ludlow Health Center: The North Star Health Mobile Services Unit will be at Ludlow Health Center, 1 Elm Street in Ludlow, VT, Monday, 7/17 - Friday 7/21/2023, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, to provide walk-in care for acute health needs. You do not need to be a North Star Health patient or a Ludlow resident.

• Grocery:  Shaw’s Temporarily Closed

• Pharmacies: Ludlow Pharmacy (Smiling Steve) is open; Rite Aid Temporarily closed

• Banks:  Berkshire  open; M&T Temporarily Closed

• Post Office: Temporarily closed, mail is going to Proctorsville

 

HOW TO HELP

• Gift certificates for places like Home Depot, local eateries and gas for those most impacted by the flood.

• Graphic for our slogan Vermont Strong, Cavendish Safe. Call or e-mail 802-226-7807 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

• 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.

• Check on your neighbor and help where you can.

                          We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.

Cavendish Update 7/16/23: Day

Rodney, with the beard, has been the best delivery guy. He and Cyrus are walking Depot St. to see where they can be of most help.

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

                    EMERGENCY FLOOD POST DAY 6: 7/16/23

Quick post this morning as I’m on breakfast duty.

A big shout out to Rodney who has been delivering the meals. A former resident of Cavendish, he travels every day from Tinmouth to make sure everyone is fed. I asked the flagger today if she needed anything and she said, “I’ve got Rodney taking care of me.” She also said she was just in awe of how the community has pulled together and has never seen anything like it.

Thanks to your generosity, we don’t need a thing today. We’ve got a well-stocked Shelter Store. Please come and shop and get what you need.

 Since the Cavendish Baptist Church is now the Shelter Store, they will be holding Sunday Service at the Stone Church, just across the street at 10 am. All are welcome.

The Cavendish Historical Society Museum will not be open today and the hike to the Proctorsville Quarry will be rescheduled for the fall.

 

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. Also available, all of which is free, store; shower, WIFI, electronics charging and emergency housing.

 

IF YOU HAVE PROPERTY DAMAGE: Please take the following steps

·      Report the damage and unmet needs to the Vermont 2-1-1 website or call 866-652-4636 or 802-652-4636. This helps to determine residents for direct individual assistance aid. Windsor has already been approved for this type of assistance but they need to know who you are to help

·      If you have insurance call the company

·      Register with FEMA

·      Residents and business owners can call 1-800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov in the next 30 days to apply assistance for housing repair, rental assistance and personal property loss.

·      If you need emergency housing call 800-775-0506

·      File for unemployment if you’ve lost your job by going to the Department of Labor website

The various state and federal agencies, along with the Red Cross, have set up a Disaster Resource Center in Ludlow at the Community Center (37 Main St, which will be open today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday). The sooner you do this the better.

Beginning tomorrow, we will be focusing more of our attention on helping those who are most in need.

 

CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION/DUMPSTERS: The transfer station is open Sunday 10-5. The dumpster at the old town garage in Cavendish is being moved to Depot Street, where the need is greatest. In short, two dumpsters on Depot and the Transfer Station.

 

HOW TO HELP

• 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.

                          We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.

 

Cavendish Update 7/15/23: Day 5 Flood Emergency

The goodmans brought their mobile pizza oven and set up shop in front of their house on depot street providing free pizza to all who stopped by

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

                    EMERGENCY FLOOD POST DAY 5: 7/15/23

It’s going to be a major work day. Volunteers are arriving throughout the day, including some with tractors. If you need help call 802-226-713. If your wanting to volunteer, please stop by the shelter

The generosity of so many is incredible. The Shelter Store is overflowing with groceries along with all the cleaning supplies you will need. Definitely stop and shop. It’s free! Please note we do not need any food at this time. The one item we could use is dehumidifiers.

 

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. Also available, all of which is free, store; shower, wifi, electronics charging and emergency housing.

 

WEATHER FORECAST: Today is sunny so we need to make the most of it. Expecting rain tomorrow and a flood watch has already been issued. Note that it’s a watch not a warning. A watch means it could happen, a warning means it will happen.  We’re keeping an eye on the weather so you can just focus on recovery.

 

DIRECTIONS: To get to Claremont, take 131 to 103. Route 10 is fine so take it to 131 (Downers) and proceed as normal to Claremont. Route 131 from Downers to Brook Rd in Cavendish is still closed.  

 

CAVENDISH TRANSFER STATION: The transfer station is open Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 10-5.

 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DEPOT: After a flood event, most debris can be disposed of in one container. Flood-damaged recyclables or food waste can be thrown away in the trash.

The cleanup of paint, chemicals, oil, gas, pesticides, and other hazardous materials in flood- damaged basements and properties needs special care. To protect solid waste workers and the environment, it is critical that residents, businesses, contractors, and cleanup crews separate these hazardous items from trash.

Keep these items separate from trash: Dangerous wastes such as toxics, pesticides, gasoline, oil, pool chemicals, acids, drain cleaner, flares; Oil, brake cleaner, other toxic car products; Paint, stain, varnish, paint thinner/stripper; Mercury thermometers. If you have such items, call Mary O’Brien at 802-674-9235 to make an appointment to bring such materials to the HHW Depot on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. No waiting in line.

 

RESOURCE CENTER OPEN IN LUDLOW THIS WEEKEND: State officials are opening two in-person resource centers, one of which is in Ludlow at the Community (37 Main St), from Saturday through Monday to help Vermonters navigate the recovery process from devastating floods, with plans for more locations in the future. Known as “multi-agency resource centers,” the sites will “serve as a single location where public and private organizations come together to provide assistance to those affected by disaster,” according to the release. Representatives from state agencies and relevant nonprofits will be on hand. They are open to anyone in the region. Some offerings at the centers include: Meals and water from the Red Cross; Cleaning kits; Assistance in finding recovery resources; Mental health services; and Basic medical services

 

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL HELP: Individuals affected by floods in Vermont can now apply for financial assistance from the federal government. People have 30 days to apply for assistance for housing repair, rental assistance and personal property loss, a Federal Emergency Management Agency representative said at the governor's press conference on Friday. Residents and business owners can call 1-800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov to start the process.

 

HOW TO HELP

Immediate needs for the shelter have been met, though dehumidifiers are needed.

• 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.

                          We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.

Cavendish Update 7/14/23: Day 4 Flood Emergency

Thank you lily calabrese for the new sign and all the incredible salads.

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

                    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.