More than 100 miles from the ocean and only a short drive from the Canadian border, the residents of Waterbury, Vermont never expected to be devastated by a tropical storm. After Hurricane Irene finished its destructive path through the Caribbean and American east coast, it dumped torrential rains on Vermont, flooding rivers and closing roads. Parts of two towns were underwater as more than 165,000 Vermont homes and businesses lost power. National Guard helicopters rushed food and water to a dozen Vermont towns cut off by flooding.

"Irene dumped five to eight inches of rain on Vermont over the weekend of August 27 and 28," explains Jack Minton, Hope Force Founder/President. "Hope Force and our partner agencies initially geared up for a response focusing on the typical wind-damage associated with a Hurricane. In reality, the real event was the heavy rain and flooding so everybody had to recalibrate as a result."

Hope Force is now committing its resources to the town of Waterbury, Vermont – population 5,000. Most residents have never faced flooding of this magnitude. "A few people had an idea that they were in a flood zone," said HFI staffer, Craig Snow. "The last time it flooded like this was in 1928. This is by far the largest disaster most people in the area will see in a lifetime."

Craig estimates about 200 homes in Waterbury were flooded. "Most flooded homes can be repaired. The challenge is that because it affects areas that weren't in the flood zone, there will be a huge gap in what is covered. Most people in the area did not have flood insurance so they're left with what FEMA may release in the future. Even in the best of times, it's hard to get money and with the current state of available government funds, it could be a long, hard road to recovery."

Right now the most pressing need is for incident management, volunteer coordination and flood damage mitigation. "What is happening is a real crisis," Craig continues. "The individual effort that I can give in terms of input seems to multiply tremendously due to the connection with the local town leadership. Because they've never faced this, anybody who has experienced it before can be a great comfort. The disaster recovery efforts we led in places like Biloxi, Mississippi after Katrina and last year's flooding in Nashville have put HFI in a position to make a profound contribution to the efforts here in Waterbury."

Hope Force has been instrumental in forming a Recovery Committee in the area and advising local and state officials on the most productive way forward in recovery efforts. HFI is providing case manager training to enable quality individualized attention on those who have lost homes or property. Trained counselors are also en route to the area to address the very real after effects of disaster situations – fear, despair, hopelessness, etc.

"Right now Hope Force is the only relief agency in town," Craig points out. "The Red Cross regional manager did make a visit and we were encouraged to hear that the efforts in Waterbury appear to be well ahead of other regions in Vermont. The interaction, the organization, communication – it has all worked well together to provide a strong foundation for recovery here. We've been privileged to be a part of it."

The City Response Committee is now feeding 750 people a day. Craig explains, "They have told us they cannot sustain this for very long. Our HFI Reservists are quickly jumping into key positions but more are needed." For further information about the HFI disaster response efforts in Vermont, please refer to the following links:

Make a contribution to the Hurricane Response Fund.

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