by Liz Royer
This article was published in the fall 2024 issue of our newsletter.
You could say it is ironic that Vermont experienced catastrophic flooding on the exact same date—July 10—two years in a row, but “ironic” doesn’t begin to cover it. We used the word “devastating” to describe last year’s flooding; this year, “demoralizing” might be the word.
With all the flooding that Vermont has experienced in the past fourteen months, resources have become spread even thinner than ever before. It’s not just challenges in terms of system personnel, equipment, supplies, and funding, but personal situations as well. As Vermont Rural Water staff responded to recent floods in Plainfield, Waterbury, Hardwick, and St. Johnsbury, we found ways to lighten the mood a bit by getting our kids involved as well.
Calvin Roy in Waterbury.
On the morning of July 11, Brad Roy was caring for his nearly two-year-old son but also wanted to contribute to flood response efforts in Waterbury. With Calvin in tow, he drove to parts of town that still had accessible roads and helped check and monitor infrastructure for both the water and wastewater systems.
Eli Royer in Plainfield.
A few days later, I needed to deliver some valve parts, as well as lunch and cold drinks, to the crew working tirelessly to restore water and sewer services in Plainfield on a hot Sunday afternoon. I wasn’t able to find a babysitter for my five-year-old son Eli, so I grabbed his safety vest and brought him along. Eli helped carry chairs and set up a tent so the crew could get some relief in the shade. He has now started observing areas with “flood damage” every time we take a trip in the car.
Wayne Graham (left) and Ethan Graham with the Emergency Response Trailer.
Finally, in the most productive relationship in the Vermont Rural Water family, Wayne Graham’s son Ethan has been instrumental in assisting in all sorts of flood response over the past year. Ethan Graham is one of the operators at the St. Johnsbury Wastewater Plant and is always willing to help by sharing chemicals, delivering equipment, or even using his own truck to drive the VT WARN emergency response trailer.
During the flooding that impacted St. Johnsbury on July 30, Wayne and others were able to return the favor by helping Ethan and the rest of the wastewater crew by delivering supplies and providing advice on repairs.
A sincere thank you to all of the hard-working professionals—and their families—doing emergency response at drinking water and wastewater systems in Vermont!