Hurricane Irene is a memory but the flooding it brought remains. Among the hardest-hit states is Vermont, where some towns were cut off for several days by the destruction of bridges and roads. State and local authorities, working with the Vermont National Guard and guardsmen from Illinois, have now reached these communities either by air or overland. Overland routes are temporary in some cases.
Vermont received an emergency declaration from the president Monday. Spokesmen from the offices of both of Vermont’s senators confirmed that the state’s application for a Major Disaster Declaration was sent to Obama Thursday from Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin. New York, New Jersey and North Carolina have all received Major Disaster Declarations from the White House.
Vermont’s congressional delegation has praised the response by the U.S. Department of Transportation for releasing $5 million in emergency funds Wednesday. According to his spokesman, appearing on “The Diane Rehm Show” this morning, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said “the federal government is beginning to respond in a serious way” and that “we’re very appreciative of what they have done.”
All six of Vermont’s National Guard helicopters are currently deployed in Iraq. The Illinois National Guard has sent eight helicopters and 95 guardsmen to provide air support to Vermont. The Maine National Guard is sending engineers and equipment.
According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation mapping website, 25 bridges are closed. U.S. routes 4 and 7 have several closures adding up to about 17 miles of road, along with many other Vermont highways.