Deluge: Tropical Storm Irene, Vermont’s Flash Floods, and How One Small State Saved Itself

Appendix

appendix Tropical Storm Irene Facts and Damage Report for Vermont Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont on Sunday, August 28, 2011. Six storm-related deaths were reported from the Vermont communities of Rutland, Woodstock, Ludlow, Brattleboro, and Wilmington. Four were a direct result of drowning during the storm. Two men died in the aftermath from injuries sustained in falls in storm-damaged areas. One person remains missing. Estimated funds required for recovery and future disaster preparation: $733.38 million. communities, houses, and individuals A total of 225 Vermont municipalities were affected by Tropical Storm Irene, 45 of which incurred severe damage. More than 3,500 homes suffered some damage. Of those residences, approximately 681 had damages exceeding $10,000. An estimated 1,405 households were temporarily or permanently displaced. Sixteen mobile parks and more than 500 mobile homes (located in parks and on private land) were damaged or destroyed. A total of 7,252 people registered for fema’s Individuals and Households Program (ihp). The maximum fema ihp grant of $30,200 was awarded to 220 households. By June 2012, fema had distributed $22.7 million in grants to families and individuals. Average fema individual assistance grant provided: $5,500. The American Red Cross responded with thirteen temporary shelters and food banks to supplement community efforts. Shinn - Deluge.indb 209 6/5/2013 1:04:22 PM 210 appendix More than 16,000 meals were provided to Vermonters and volunteers. More than 600 historic buildings were damaged in over thirty downtowns or villages. agriculture Agricultural losses were estimated at over $10 million. A total of 463 agricultural producers reported damage to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Flooding damaged more than 400 acres of land producing fruit and vegetables and 9,348 total acres of agricultural land. veda approved 305 loans totaling $14.9 million. Of the 305 loans, 249 were commercial loans and the remaining 56 were associated with agriculture. transportation A total of 146 state road segments were closed (approximately 531 miles). By September 28, 2011—one month after Irene—all but six road segments, totaling 13 miles, had reopened to traffic. During and immediately after the storm, 34 state bridges were closed. A month later, 28 had reopened. A total of 2,260 local road segments were damaged and 175 closed. By December 21, 2011, all but 21 road segments were repaired. There were 289 local bridges damaged and 90 closed; 963 culverts were damaged. More than 200 miles of state-owned rail were damaged, and 6 railroad bridges were closed; 66 separate locations on the privately owned New England Central Railroad were heavily damaged, totaling 13 miles of rail and 6 bridges. Within three weeks, all rail lines were repaired and reopened. More than 200 private contractors and consultants from Vermont supplied equipment, personnel, and expertise to rebuild the roads immediately after the storm. Approximately 700 VTrans employees worked from three command centers to quickly rebuild the roads. Maine’s Department of Transportation sent 150 people and 145 pieces of equipment to Vermont to aid recovery efforts. Shinn - Deluge.indb 210 6/5/2013 1:04:22 PM Facts and Damage Report 211 New Hampshire’s Department of Transportation sent 75 people and 60 pieces of equipment. Assisting in Vermont’s recovery effort were 763 National Guard members. These soldiers came from Vermont, Maine, Illinois, Ohio, New Hampshire, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia. Estimated funds required to rebuild the state’s roads, bridges, rail, and infrastructure, including the Vermont State Hospital and the Waterbury State Office Complex: $486.20 million. Adapted from “Tropical Storm Irene: A Snapshot, The Facts and Damage Reports,” vtStrong.vermont.gov/Home/StateRecovery.aspx; and “Vermont Recovering Stronger, Irene Recovery Status Report,” presented by Governor Peter Shumlin, June 2012. Shinn - Deluge.indb 211 6/5/2013 1:04:22 PM Shinn - Deluge.indb 212 6/5/2013 1:04:22 PM ...