As record-setting rainfall and flooding impacts towns, cities, and villages across Vermont, we are inspired by the power of Vermonters coming together to help one another. Though the water has receded in many of our communities for now, the road to recovery will be long, especially for people who are struggling financially or experiencing homelessness.
With that in mind, we have compiled the following resources and guidance from state and municipal agencies, as well as direct service and mutual aid organizations. This includes flood response resources, volunteer opportunities, and ways to help neighbors in your home communities and across Vermont.
Flood response resources
If you are facing an immediate, life-threatening emergency, 911 will always be the most important resource to keep in mind. Short of those kinds of situations, the following resources offer guidance about road closures, power outages, emergency shelter, and other essential information.
The State of Vermont has launched a new web resource with important information about flood recovery.
Emergency Alerts
Health and Safety
- Water boil notices
- Shelter access (or call 211)
- Power outages (or contact your electric company)
- Multi-lingual flood safety resources
Road Closures
- State-maintained road closures
- Consult local news outlets and municipal websites or social media accounts for information about local road closures
Regardless of roads being officially closed or not, never drive through a flooded roadway
Home, Business & Farm Flooding Clean-up
- Guide to returning home after a flood compiled by Vermont Public
- Guide for farmers & farming communities from Vermont Agency of Agriculture
- Guide to disaster recovery for businesses from Vermont Small Business Development Center
Supporting our communities
Many Vermonters have expressed interest in supporting communities most impacted by flooding. At this time, state officials are urging those who wish to help to focus their efforts at the local level. Check in on neighbors and consult local organizations for information about how to help nearby food shelves, shelters, or farms and businesses.
Making financial contributions to direct service providers and other recovery funds is another way to help, if you have the means to do so in the short term.
The state is collecting contact information for anyone who is interested in volunteering with future, longer-term clean-up projects. Register to become a volunteer online.
In addition to this statewide service opportunity, some communities have launched mutual aid and volunteer sign-up forms. Please note that these are being organized by local community members, not the state.
- Montpelier Alive Recovery Volunteer Form
- Waterbury Community Flood Response
- VT Flooding 2023 Response and Recovery Mutual Aid (Facebook group)
If you are aware of community-wide volunteer or mutual aid sign-ups, send them to [email protected].
Above all, be sure to take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and your neighbors in the aftermath of this historic natural disaster. Working together, we can emerge stronger and more resilient than before.
