Small business owners in communities ravaged by floodwaters are struggling with a terrible choice: begin the arduous process of cleaning up and rebuilding, or shutter their businesses and find a new path forward.
The owners of businesses in Ludlow and Hardwick, two of the hardest-hit communities in the state, will share their stories. We'll also hear from a member of the Vermont Main Street Flood Relief Fund Advisory Board. The newly established fund aims to help small business owners recover from the floods.
Plus, the deputy secretary of the state's agency of Natural Resources will share an update on state-managed dams and on flood cleanup in businesses and homes.
Our guests:
- Maggie Gendron, deputy secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
- Freda Hollyer, co-owner of the Inn by the River in Hardwick
- Andrew Molen, chef and co-owner of Sam's Steakhouse and Mr. Darcy's in Ludlow
- Patti Komline, member of the Vermont Main Street Flood Relief Fund Advisory Board
Broadcast at noon on Friday, July 14, 2023.
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Flood recovery resources
- For state road closure information, visit newengland511.org or follow @511VT on X. (For local road closures, use the Waze app or monitor town communications, such as a website or Facebook page.)
- You can sign up for alerts from the state at vtalert.gov.
- The latest forecasts and water levels for specific rivers are provided by the National Water Prediction Service.
- Find power outage information at vtoutages.org.
- To find more resources and services, and to report flood damage, call Vermont 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org.
- For a list of state resources and guidance about flooding, visit vermont.gov/flood. The guidance includes returning home after a flood, cleaning up, and dealing with mold.
- Find flood recovery information in multiple languages at vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation.
- To request cleanup help from volunteers and groups, call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 802-242-2054.
- For mental health support, call 9-8-8 or call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
- To register through the state to volunteer, visit vermont.gov/volunteer.
- If flood waters reached your private well or spring, order a drinking water test kit through the Vermont Department of Health.
- Find flood-prone areas near you with the Vermont Flood Ready Atlas.
