Cavendish Update 7/18/23: Day 8 Flood Recovery

people are creating logo designs. thanks sami.

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

                    EMERGENCY FLOOD POST DAY 8: 7/18/23

It may have been hot, but yesterday’s sun is great for wet basements. Unfortunately, the rain has decided to grace us with its presence today, thus another flood watch (not a warning) and our neighbors to the north are still battling wildfires so air quality is unhealthy for those in the “sensitive” groups.

The good news is that humidifiers arrived last night and more are due today and Wednesday. Lots more fans are now in the Shelter Store. Further, a sunny Wednesday and Thursday are in the forecast and can go a long way to help with the damp.

Rodney is making sure his “regulars” are well taken care of. He will be delivering breakfast and lunch today along with those great smiles. We hear his daughter will be helping with the lunch run. No in-service meals at the Shelter, but snacks, water, Gatorade are available.

The Convoy of Hope Disaster Relief, sponsored by the Proctorsville Calvary Church, will be setting up at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) in Proctorsville on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Anyone from any town, whether you've picked up supplies or not, can drive up and have their vehicle loaded with cleaning supplies, paper products, water, Gatorade and other goodies. Twenty volunteers are needed to help. Call 802-345-9919 if you can assist in this effort. As soon as we know the exact time on Thursday we’ll post to Facebook.

Life goes on and the highlights of last night’s Select Board Meeting includes:

• The new tax rate approved by the board. Fire District # 1 (Proctorsville): Homestead 2.4572 per $100 of property value; Non-Homestead 2.5154. For Fire District #2 (Cavendish) 2.3814 for Homestead and 2.435 for Non-Homestead

• The board unamiously nominated Lisa Sanders to replace Dennis Riley on the Green Mountain Unified School District Board.

• New hire for the Cavendish Garage, Alex Turco, starts work today.

We’re getting a lot of questions about whether the 13th Annual Town Wide Tag Sale will take place on July 29. We’re checking roads and discussing. Hope to have a final verdict by Thursday. It may be a bit different, but remember, we had a parade down Depot St. after Irene to celebrate Cavendish’s 250th Anniversary.

Wednesday is sounding like perfect weather for the weekly concert and fingers crossed Murdock’s will be open and ready to serve.

As the shelter moves into a “stop and shop,” if you have questions and concerns e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com There is a youth group working out of the church today so we may not be as responsive to phone calls, but we’re trying.

SHELTER INFO: The shelter at the Cavendish Baptist Church is offering breakfast and lunch plus snacks today. Delivery only  Also available, all of which is free, store; shower, WIFI, electronics charging and emergency housing.

DUMPSTERS: The dumpsters on Depot Street are being regularly changed. Transfer station will be opened on Wednesday.

VT FLOOD RESOURCES WEBSITE: Lots of good resources to check out.

NEED HELP WITH IMMEDIATE FUNDS: The Cavendish Baptist Church’s Deacon’s fund can help with immediate needs. Call 802-226-7131. Note this is a different fund than the one for those with flood damage. More on that fund will be available in the next few weeks.

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS: They can appear in many different ways and forms. FEMA representatives and inspectors will always have an official ID badge. They never charge a fee or ask for payment. While your social security number is required for FEMA, do not offer any personal information unless you can verify it’s a FEMA rep. Keep in mind that if it sounds to good to be true, it probably isn’t it.

LOVING OUR ARTISTS: We’re getting wonderful logo art for a Cavendish slogan. We’ll be posting them as part of the Updates.

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.

• The Cavendish Family Fund is also accepting donations to help families impacted by the flood. Send checks to PO Box 126. FMI: Call Diane at the town office 802-226-7291

• Check on your neighbor and help where you can.

                          We’re Vermont Strong and Cavendish Safe.

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.

READ THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

                    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.