Category Archives: Tropical Storm Irene

MONTPELIER — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says an event will be held in Randolph on the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene to celebrate how far the state has come in recovering from one of the worst storms in the state’s history.
“One Year Stronger: A Commemorative Gathering on the First Anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene” will take place on August 28 at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
The event will include musical performances by the Vermont Youth Orchestra and VYO Chorus, and Vermont musicians Jon Gailmor, Diane Martin, and Shyla Nelson. Shumlin, other state leaders and flood survivors and volunteers will speak. An exhibit will also be on display of artwork and photographs showing the impact Irene had on Vermonters.
For a listing of other Irene anniversary events, visit www.vtstrong.vermont.gov.

WEST WINDSOR — A Vermont covered bridge swept away during Tropical Storm Irene is scheduled to reopen soon.
The Bowers Bridge near West Windsor was built in 1884. It was swept away by flooding, but washed up with its base intact on a river bank 150 yards downstream.
Selectboard member Tom Kenyon told the Eagle-Times the turning point was finding out that the actual historical part of the bridge was basically unharmed.
Residents are invited to attend a bridge dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday.

BRAINTREE — Vermont engineers and scientists say more than 300 river banks, bridges and other sites damaged by Tropical Storm Irene still need repairs — some to fix repairs done the wrong way after the storm.
Officials from the state agencies of Transportation and Natural Resources gathered Tuesday afternoon near a bridge along Route 12A in Braintree to talk about a second post-Irene fix needed there.
Rock was used to build up a steep river bank after the storm, but now officials say the rocks are small and likely to be swept away by the next flood on the White River’s Third Branch. They say the bank also needs to be pulled back to restore the river’s natural flow.
Most of the remaining work will be paid for with federal funds.

SOUTH NEWFANE — Residents in one Vermont town damaged by Tropical Storm Irene last year are replanting areas that had been washed away.
Some residents have installed wooden window boxes with flowering plants that rise above metal guardrails along a damaged road in South Newfane. Vermont Public Radio reports a sign on one of the boxes says “Rock River Revival Project.”
Longtime resident Carol Ross said before the flooding hit last summer, the area had lush foliage.
There’s been some planting of day lilies, bayberry plants, lilacs, forsythia, and roses.
The Rock River Revival Project is planning a parade for the last Sunday in August to celebrate how the community has come together since the flood.