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 FundAdvisory 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 FundAdvisory Board
Broadcast at noon on Friday, July 14, 2023.
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Flood recovery resources
- See a map of impacts across the state.
- To find more resources and services, and to report flood damage, call Vermont 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org.
- Find flood recovery information in multiple languages at vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation. The resources include guidance on returning home after a flood, cleaning up, and dealing with a boil water notice.
- For road closure information, visit newengland511.org or follow @511VT on Twitter.
- 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.
- To offer donations or volunteer assistance through state organizers, call 888-653-7715 or email donations@vermont.gov.
- 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.
- Find flood-prone areas near you with the Vermont Flood Ready Atlas.