Irene Resources

(Updated 5/15/12)

Vermont continues recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Irene that hit the state Sunday and Monday, August 27-August 28, 2011. The situation is constantly changing. Here are some helpful resources and sources for up-to-date information:

Call 2-1-1 to report all damage due to the storm. (all information will be forwarded to Vermont Emergency Management and VOAD)

DONATIONS

Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank. The Foodbank will turn each donation into $60 for families in need.
The Vermont Disaster Relief Fund is raising money to help people and communities affected by flooding. Visit the website to donate or send a check or money order to your local Vermont United Way.
The MRV Community Fund has created a special flood relief fund to help Mad River Valley people and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
The Vermont Community Foundation established two disaster related funds: the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and a Special and Urgent Needs Fund. Visit their site to learn more and to donate.
Independent Vermont Clothing is selling a special “I’m With VT” t-shirt. All profits from sales of the shirt will go to Red Cross efforts.
The Preservation Trust of Vermont is taking donations to help rebuilding and cleanup efforts for the historic buildings and bridges damaged by Irene. Make a donation on their site and be sure to note “Hurricane Relief” in the Comments section.
Vermont’s local Community Action Agencies are part of first response on the ground and will play an integral role in ongoing recovery. All of the agencies (except HOPE) accept online donations:

BROC - www.broc.org Community Action in Southwestern Vermont – Bennington and Rutland Counties
SEVCA - www.sevca.org Southeastern Vermont Community Action – Windham, Windsor, and Orange Counties
CVCAC - www.cvcac.org Central Vermont Community Action Council – Lamoille, Washington (including the Mad River Valley), Orange and parts of Rutland Counties
HOPE - http://hope-vt.org/ Addison County Community Action Group – Addison County Send donations to HOPE, Attn: Kathy Eddy, PO Box 165, Middlebury, VT 05753

FEMA INFORMATION (visit the FEMA page)

For information about the hurricane disaster declaration in Vermont
To apply for assistance from FEMA or call 800-621-FEMA (3362)

TRAUMA AND CRISIS COUNSELING

FEELING STRESSED? Looking for stress reduction techniques and coping strategies? Wondering how to talk with your kids about what’s been happening since the flooding? Interested in some one-on-one counseling? Starting over Strong (SOS) is a short-term effort designed to find healthy ways to deal with the stress from the flood – this is a FREE service – Call 855-sos-vt00 (855-767-8800). To find out more about taking care of your mental and emotional health, go to http://healthvermont.gov and choose “After the Flood”.

Other Resources:

ROAD CLOSURES AND TRANSPORTATION

For up to date information about road closures and travel throughout the state, visit www.511vt.com
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Google map to track road closures
Gov. Shumlin and the Vermont Agency of Transportation announced a new web-based Public Information Project, made possible through a partnership with Google.
Connecting Commuters Go Vermont is a resource for commuters who want to reduce the cost and environmental impact of driving. The program features a free carpool / vanpool matching service, ridesharing tips and other practical information on getting around by biking, walking, bus, train and ferry.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The People’s Health & Wellness Clinic: Pay What You Can, As You Can: PHWC’s mission is to provide primary health care and wellness education to the uninsured and underinsured community members of Central VT who cannot otherwise afford these services.
Community Clinic at Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism: offers individuals personalized education in self-care with herbs. Consultations (an initial and two follow-up appointments) and a starter supply of herbs are offered on a sliding scale that starts at $0. Donations welcome for services whenever possible. Please call (802) 224-7100 for an appointment. 250 Main St, Suite 302, Montpelier info@vtherbcenter.org
Free Women’s Health Clinics for those who qualify – who are underinsured, financial documents needed, please call for more info.
By appointment only, 802-479-1229, at People’s Health & Wellness Clinic, 533 N. Main St, Barre. Sponsored by CVMC, PHWC, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Group Acupuncture at Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Thursday evenings. Sessions begin at 6pm and patients will be treated in a group setting on a first come first served basis. All treatments conclude at 8pm. The cost is $10 per treatment. There is no need to book an appointment, walk ins are welcomed. Treatments are all auricular acupuncture, all points chosen will be in the ears. For more info, please visit the website or call for more information 802-223-0954 156 Main St. Montpelier. info@integrativeaom.com
Central VT Medical Center provides a range of services and support groups. 802-371-4100

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Home Share Now flood handout
Sublet.com will provide free access for people who are displaced from their homes. Call their customer service line at 1-877-367-7368 for more information.

FARMS

CONSTRUCTION / DECONSTRUCTION / CONTRACTING

ReSOURCE (ReStore 28 Granite St, Barre) YouthBuild crews and volunteers are teaming up to help flood affected households and businesses. If you are in need of hands to clean and work in your home, we may be able to help. Please contact Colleen at (802) 658-4143 x27.
General carpentry/building with a focus on affordable housing, new construction, remodeling and working with town managers and FEMA to remove and reuse salvageable building materials from structures that must be torn down and recover materials for use in rebuilding. For more information, please call 802-658-4143 x34.

VOLUNTEERING

Central Vermont is in need of volunteer case managers. No experience is needed- the only requirement is a desire to help others recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. Training and support will be provided for all volunteers. For more information, see the attached Job Description.
To register as a volunteer and receive notification about available projects in your area, go to the United Way of Chittenden County website.
VTResponse.com is working to connect volunteers ready to help with those that need assistance. If you want to help clean up and rebuild, let the folks behind this site know.
The Red Cross is in need of blood donations. Stop by their donation center at 32 North Prospect Street in Burlington, or the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital Blood Donation Center at 125 Mascoma Street in Lebanon, NH.
Visit the Seven Days blog for information about how you can help
Anyone interested in volunteering for the American Red Cross, go online to www.vermontredcross.org and click on the red “Volunteer” button. A two- to three-week time commitment will be expected.
The Vermont Bar Association is creating a list of attorney volunteers willing to assist Vermonters in dealing with tropical storm Irene-related losses.If you are willing to help please contact Tami Baldwin at tbaldwin@vtbar.org. Indicate in what areas of the law you’d be comfortable volunteering.

Need Items / Want to Donate Items

www.vtexchange.org This “Craig’s List Clone” enables listings for what is needed by flood victims who lost their belongings, and provides an easy opportunity to list items that you are willing to donate.
ReSOURCE ReLIEF VOUCHER PROGRAM Residents who suffered a loss of essential household items in their primary residence, can apply for a voucher for ReSTORE Burlington or ReSTORE Barre to be used to help purchase the following items: washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, furniture, and other basic household essentials. For those who have suffered structural damage, vouchers are available for building materials through ReBUILD Burlington and ReBUILD Barre. These items include lumber, doors, flooring (if available), and water heaters (if available).
How to apply: ReLIEF Essential Goods Vouchers in the greater Barre area: ReSTORE Barre | 28 Granite Street, Barre (802) 477.7800 x20
FREECYCLE is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by local volunteers (them’s good people). Membership is free.

Other Helpful Information:

Agency of Human Services

Disaster Recovery Family Financial Toolkit
Disaster Unemployment Assistance

IRS Disaster Losses Kit for Businesses

IRS Disaster Losses Kit for Individuals

Upper Valley Strong

Vermont Community Foundation has lists of available grant opportunities

Vermont Department of Health has excellent information on water testing and emergency preparedness in general

Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Vermont Emergency Management

Vermont Family Network

Vermont Farm Bureau or call 802-434-5646

Vermont Workers’ Center’s Irene Stories Project Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene has impacted thousands of Vermonters and thousands have responded in solidarity. When dozens of VWC members and supporters went out to help provide solidarity flood relief, we found a lot of powerful untold stories. Let us know if you would like to tell us your story. Or email us if you have a video or photo you can send us. Send email to irenestories@gmail.com 802-861-4VWC

VPR Resources
VTDigger

VTWARN is a Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) that allows water and wastewater systems in Vermont to receive rapid mutual aid and assistance from other systems in Vermont to restore services damaged by natural or man-made incidents.

Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District has detailed information about assistance for farmers, businesses, communities and historic properties

The Winter Warmth Project will provide a new quilt for every Vermont flood victim. If you lost your belongings or your home due to Hurricane Irene, or know someone who did we would appreciate it if you would put us in touch with them. The easiest way is e-mail: winterwarmthproject@yahoo.com

Town Updates:

Northfield also see the Northfield/Roxbury Flood Relief page

Waitsfield

Waterbury also check Revitalizing Waterbury for updates

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook Flood Updates (fan pages / groups):

Berlin, VT Community News
Help Vermont
Mobile Home Park Residents for Equality and Fairness
Montpelier Alive
MRV post Irene
Northfield Vermont has information from the Town of Northfield
Resources for Relief (Child Care Providers of Vermont)
Vermont Flooding 2011
Vermont Helping Hands