LYNDON, Vt. (WCAX) – Residents in the Northeast Kingdom are still assessing the damage after yet another round of flooding. It comes as many roads remain impassable, leaving residents and businesses with no way in or out.
Generators are buzzing at Speedwell Farm in Lyndon to keep the fans running for the 120 dairy cows inside the barn.
“We have no power so we’re running all on generators. We have enough grain and stuff till Tuesday,” said the farm’s Brian Nichols.
The road leading up to the farm is completely washed out in several spots. Residents brought us there by ATV. Nichols and his family are stuck. And with no way in to pick up product, they’ve been forced to dump fresh milk down the drain. “We’ve already dumped three days worth, so we’re in the red,” Nichols said.
The cleanup process is still very much underway in St. Johnsbury as piles of debris continue to grow. Residents we spoke with say they’re still sifting through what they can keep and what they need to throw away.
“I don’t know how I’m going to take care of all this because this stuff has got to be gotten rid of,” said Rosa Cooper, who was at home when more than eight inches of rain caused a nearby brook to jump its banks. What was once a flourishing garden has turned to mud. “I wanted to give up, yes I did. Like, I’m done, I’m gone. But this is my home. Where am I going to go?”
It wasn’t until Thursday that a group of six volunteers showed up at Cooper’s doorstep to help clean up from this round of flooding. Carrie Tomczyk, one of the volunteers, says while they’re willing to lend a hand, more needs to be done. “People just need to not be afraid to jump in and say ‘I want to help, can you tell me how to help?’ And if they don’t, they can send you somewhere else or look somewhere else to help because there’s a lot needed,” she said.
St. Johnsbury officials say public works is repairing roads with a focus on damage that has isolated residents from access to emergency vehicles. The transfer station at 584 High Street is closed indefinitely due to flood damage, but dumpsters were deployed on Thursday to Cliff and Portland Street for residents. The wastewater treatment facility has been fixed and is fully operational, after being struck by lightning. The Red Cross has also opened a shelter at the Good Shepherd school.
Back in Lyndon, Nichol’s daughter, Kirby, is next in line to run the family business. She says their current situation is unprecedented. “Honestly, I’m a little scared. It’s very scary but I’m just trying to keep a smile on my face and not to worry too much. We can only do so much,” she said.
Road crews we spoke to say they hope to have portions of Burrington Bridge Road reopened Thursday night. But with widespread damage further up, their work is just getting started.
For the latest on state road closures, visit NewEngland511.org. That is only for state road closures and does not list local road closures.