Preparedness 2026
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September is National Preparedness Month. Throughout the month, Cavendish Connects is posting to their Facebook page and the weekly Cavendish Update, tips on being prepared should their be another flood, natural disaster or another event that could impact your property and/or your well being.
Cavendish is a member of Black River Valley Resources, (BRVR) the long term recovery group for the Okemo Valley, which includes the towns of Cavendish, Ludlow, Plymouth, Mt. Holly and the villages within those towns. BRVR has an excellent handout on emergency preparedness, which is available in PDF format by clicking here.
Keep in mind that Cavendish has a well-established shelter at the Cavendish Baptist Church that needs support. There are three ways to donate: online via PayPal to Cavendish Baptist Church and designate your funds to the Emergency Shelter Fund . Mail checks directly to the Cavendish Baptist Church, PO Box 425, Cavendish, VT 05142 (memo line should specify the shelter) or drop your donation off at the church.
• Just how prepared are you? Take Team Rubicon’s preparedness quiz to find out.
• Sign Up for VT Alert: VT-ALERT is used by state and local responders-Cavendish uses this system- to notify the public of emergencies. Those include, but are not limited to, evacuation information, chemical spills, shelter-in-place alerts, severe weather advisories, boil water advisories, and roadway interruptions. Residents can tailor alerts to specific locations, types, and devices on which they receive notifications.Register by clicking here.
• Stop the Bleed Training : Periodically the Cavendish Fire Dept offers a Stop the Bleed program. While it’s good to take the training, and have hands on experience, you can learn a lot by watching the video by ACS.
• Know Vermont’s Natural Hazards and how to prepare for them: Erosion, flooding, drought, infectious disease, heat, cold, wind, invasive species, snow, ice, wildfire and hail. VT Emergency Preparedness
• Prep Your Phone: Your smartphone is one of your best tools in an emergency. Set it up so it can work for you when you most need it.
• Stockpile a minimum of a 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food for short term emergencies. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day.
• Have plans in place including: When instructed to evacuate or shelter-in-place, do so immediately. Set a meet up place in case your family is separated. Plan a place to stay if you cannot return to your home within a week
• Go Kits: Flood, wildfire or any number of other emergencies can happen quickly, leaving little time to think, so it’s important to have a go bag (also called a “ready bag,” or “bug-out bag”) by the door so you can grab and go. The Black River Valley Resources (BRVR) group makes it easy with a free Go Kit that you can pick up at the Cavendish or Ludlow Libraries for those living in Cavendish, Ludlow, Mt. Holly and Plymouth. Wirecutter has a good guide
• Be Storm Savvy: Learn how to protect your property.
• Talk to your neighbors: Talk to neighbors ahead of a disaster to determine who may need assistance in a disaster, or to ask for assistance if you may need it.
• Power Outages: Power outages happen in Vermont; they're unavoidable. Be ready to be without service, especially during cold-weather months, now! Use only safe heat sources. Never use a generator indoors. Never touch a downed power line. Keep fridge and freezer closed to avoid spoilage.
