Flood Response & Recovery Resources

JULY 2024 FLOOD

As of July 17, City updates and resources have migrated to this webpage.

Click here for information on how to volunteer.

Click here for information on how to request assistance.

Click here for information on debris disposal resources.

We encourage residents to report all damage to 211. 

 

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JULY 2023 FLOOD

UPDATE 10/25/2023 at 5:30PM

At the October 24, 2023 City Council meeting, Governor Scott presented concepts and initial designs for North End recovery and resiliency.  The Governor and his team provided three PowerPoint presentations with renderings.  They can be viewed by clicking below:

• Renderings #1
• Renderings #2
• Renderings #3

 

UPDATE 10/13/2023 at 9:15AM

Important FEMA updates for residents impacted by the flood:

(1) The FEMA Recovery Center has moved from the Auditorium basement to the 3rd Floor of Alumni Hall. We encourage residents to make use of this in-person resource right here in Barre. FEMA reps at the Center can help you register and guide you through the process.
(2) The deadline to register with FEMA for disaster assistance has been extended to Tuesday 10/31. If you were impacted in any way, please register.

UPDATE 10/6/2023 at 3:00PM

You’re Invited!
Barre Up - Community Flood Recovery Forum

October 18, 2023

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Barre Opera House

FREE Pizza Dinner

Through community input and discussion so far, three critical areas of focus have emerged:

1. Housing

2. Social & Community Well-being

3. Infrastructure & Planning

Join one of the focus groups to hear status of current work, identify gaps, and think together about what could be done for the immediate and long-term future of the City. 

Zoom options and childcare are available.  Check out the event flyer for more details. 

UPDATE 9/27/2023 at 11:00AM

Stop by the Barre Up Hub in its new space at City Hall for its grand opening!  Details below and on this flyer.

EVENT: Barre Up Grand Opening

DATE: Wednesday, 9/27

TIME: 6:00-8:00PM

LOCATION: City Hall (Old Police Department -- available from N. Main Street)

UPDATE 9/21/2023 at 2:00PM

FEMA is requesting information from owners of multifamily properties that can be repaired to local, state and federal standards and be offered as temporary housing to survivors of the July flood.

Interested in being part of this recovery?

1. Read the FAQ document about this program.

2. Send an email to FEMA by October 27 at FEMA-DR4720VT-Housing@fema.dhs.gov with an email subject line of: RFI# 70FBR123I00000001 Response: MLR - DR-4720-VT

UPDATE 9/15/2023 at 5:00PM

Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Saturday September 16th will be a Volunteer Day in Barre to assist residents who may need assistance bringing eligible debris to the bulky waste drop at the BOR parking lot. If you are interested in helping, meet the volunteer coordinator at the City Hall Park Gazebo from 11am-3pm to help residents with transportation, yardwork, and canvassing. If you would like to request assistance from volunteers with getting debris to the bulky waste drop, please email volunteer@barrecity.org.

2. On Sunday, September 17th, the Rainbow Bridge Community Center is holding its first Community Care Day on the third Sunday of every month! In addition to distribution and aid, the Vermont Worker's Center, Department of Health, EmpowR Transformation, and local artists will be on hand providing services. A hot lunch will be served as well.

UPDATE 9/5/2023 at 10:00AM

The deadline to apply to FEMA for Individual Assistance has been extended to October 12.  Click here to view FEMA's press release.

To apply, you can:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov,
• Download the FEMA App or
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

You can also see FEMA reps in-person at the Auditorium at the Disaster Recovery Center. Their presence their will also be extended.

This is not an invitation to delay your application -- APPLY TODAY! The sooner you apply, the sooner your claim can be processed.

UPDATE 9/1/2023 at 4:30PM

You’re Invited!

Barre Up - Community Flood Recovery

September 13th 

5:30 pm: FREE Pizza Dinner

6:00-9:00 pm: Community Discussion and Forums

Barre Opera House

DOWNLOAD AN EVENT FLYER BY CLICKING HERE.

The goal of these forums is to bring together the full diversity of Barre residents, organizations, and partners in an open, inclusive dialogue to build understanding around flooding experiences and recovery and resilience efforts to create ideas for action for the immediate and long-term future of the city.

Come together for a community gathering to connect with fellow residents, listen, share, and form early thoughts about next steps and ideas for the future of Barre! Join us for a full community discussion followed by topic forums, food, and connection with neighbors.

The evening will start with a FREE pizza dinner in the Opera House lobby at 5:30 pm,  Full Community Discussion at 6 pm followed by breakouts on topic areas. Please attend the sessions most important to you. 

Can’t join in person? You can watch the 6:00 pm Community Discussion via Zoom and participate via chat only, and join a separate Zoom forum at 7:00-8:00 pm. Find the link to join at https://www.vtrural.org/barre-up/. 

All are welcome!

• Childcare will be provided at the Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church St.
• Transportation is available - see https://www.vtrural.org/barre-up/ 
• Reasonable accommodations available including hearing accessibility: please see https://www.vtrural.org/barre-up/ for updated information
• Masks optional

For more information visit https://www.vtrural.org/barre-up/  or contact Laura@vtrural.org or (802) 234-1646 for more information.

UPDATE 8/28/2023 at 9:15PM

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out this weekend for Green Up Day. We had 90+ New Englanders come out, from 9-year olds to ninety-year olds! This included the Governor's Office, Norwich University Hockey Teams, the Barre City River Access Task Force, Penn State Alumni, the Barre Strong t-shirt team, and other do-gooders! Food and drinks for the volunteers were provided by Enough Ministries.

These teams cleaned up several large locations, such as the BOR, Library, and various parks. You might have seen teams of volunteers roving down Main Street, branching off to Ward 2, and going down the Route 62 Median to the North End. Others took up the watershed by Cumberland Farms. Meanwhile, City staff and volunteers did a final sweep of residential debris, tires, mud and silt.

If you see someone, thank them! We are always looking for teams who got a second wind and want to help as we recover.   If you are interested in volunteering, email our coordinator at volunteer@barrecity.org.  

UPDATE 8/25/2023 at 9:15AM

Saturday Volunteer Activities Update:

This Saturday, August 26th, the City will be participating in a special statewide Green Up Day focused on flood recovery. Volunteers in Barre will be:

• removing debris and silt
• collecting tires
• cleaning up public spaces (library, parks, Auditorium)
• repairing and re-seeding public parks and playgrounds

If you would like to participate, join the crews at City Hall Park at 10AM. Volunteer coordinators will have snacks and Barre Strong t-shirts for sale.  After instructions are provided, volunteers will be deployed to projects around the City and teams will reassemble at City Hall Park after the day's activities are done.

Come join and be part of the team that helps us take another step towards recovery.

UPDATE 8/23/2023 at 5:45PM

Parking Meter moratorium ends on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  The City of Barre will resume enforcement of parking meters on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  The City stopped enforcing meters after the July 2023 flood, and not one ticket has been issued since July 10, 2023.  However, enforcement will resume on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and all regular parking rules will be in effect.  Tickets will be issued and enforced for any vehicles that are no in compliance. 

Street closures and traffic alerts.  Please check out the street closures map for the latest updates.

• Berlin Street Bridge to Smith Street, Pike Street between George Street and Howard Street, and West Paterson between Orange Street and Ayers Street are closed indefinitely.
  
• Maple Avenue and Merchant Street intersection will have a single lane closures with alternating one-way traffic from Monday, August 21, 2023 through Friday, August 25, 2023. Motorists can expect short to moderate delays.
  
• Cliff Street will have intermittent closures and delays for paving from Thursday, August 24, 2023 through Friday, September 1, 2023. Expect delays and seek alternate routes.
  
• Hill Street, Ayers Street and S. Main Street intersection will have delays for line striping overnight on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Expect delays and seek alternate routes.
  
• Pleasant Street will have intermittent closures for paving from Monday August 28, 2023 through Friday, September 1, 2023. Expect delays and seek alternate routes.

UPDATE 8/22/2023 at 11:00PM

Volunteer Updates:

(1) The BBQ's and fundraiser around the city this past weekend were big hits. Thank you to the many members of the community that came out for free food, drinks, and celebration! The road to recovery will be long, much, but it was great to also recognize the great work that has taken place the last few weeks.

(2) Over the past week, volunteer teams from Allagash Brewing Company, Physician's Computer Company, as well as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Barre have helped pick up residential debris. The state’s contractor will continue debris pick ups as well and it is expected that remaining debris will be collected this week.

As a reminder, any residential debris that had not been placed by the side of the road by August 7 will need to be disposed of by residents. If you are in need of financial assistance to assist with debris removal, please contact the Rainbow Bridge Community Center or FEMA.

(3) We are always looking for volunteers as well as people who would like to take a larger role in supporting our recovery. If you are interested, please email volunteer@barrecity.org or sign up at https://www.barrecity.org/flood/.

UPDATE 8/18/2023 at 9:30PM

Volunteer Update and Saturday Events:
Today was a great day for give-aways and service at Aldrich Library!

• Library hosted a robust transfer station of goods!
• BUUSD and City reps were present and checking in with families
• Rainbow Bridge was helping volunteers
• Seva was serving free food provided by Sarduccis and
• The VT Department of Health was giving away free vaccines

Saturday 8/19 will be a day of recognition for the hard work so many have put in five weeks after the flood:

• 9AM to 12PM: Backpacks with Enough Ministries at Aldrich
• 10AM to 12PM: BBQ at Enough Ministries
• 11AM to 2PM: BBQ with Rainbow Bridge at Courier Park
• 2PM to 8PM: Barre Biergarten at Pearl Street Pizza to benefit the Barre Community Relief Fund

Flood Recovery Updates:
1. Water System: Flushing of the water system continued today and will continue through next week. The water in our system remains safe for consumption. There is no longer any bottled water available for pick-up at the Auditorium.
2. Debris Pick-Up: Due to mechanical issues, residential debris pick-up could not be finished today and will stretch into next week.
3. FEMA at the Auditorium: The Disaster Recovery Center remains active at the Auditorium. You can speak with a FEMA representative 7 days a week from 8:00AM to 7:00PM.

UPDATE 8/17/2023 at 8:45PM

Volunteer and Relief Acitivities Updates:

1. The goods donation event at Aldrich Library was active, and within several hours the library was full.

2. Residents can continue to pick up goods from the Library on Friday, August 18th, from 10AM to 6PM.

3. Also on Friday, August 18th beginning at 11AM, the following groups will be located on the front lawn of the Library:

• VT Department of Health with tetanus shots
• People's Health and Wellness Clinic
• Legal aid
• City Volunteer Coordinator
• School liaison from BUUSD for families impacted by the flood

You can also come grab a free hot meal between 1PM and 3PM from Sarducci's, Hunger Mountain Co-op, and Misty Knoll Chicken.

Flood Recovery Updates:

1. System flushing continues and is expected to last through 8/25. We know some residents continue to experience discolored water. The water has been tested and is safe to drink. Free water is available at the Auditorium for residents who prefer it.

2. FEMA remains staged at the Auditorium. They are open 7 days a week from 8AM - 7PM.

3. Residential debris collection by the state’s contractor is expected to end Friday. Residents were required to have all debris out by August 7 for collection. Commercial debris collection has already ended.

4. The City has issued an RFP for a paving contractor to replace and repair paving damaged by the flood. The contract will be presented to the Council for approval at the 8/22 Council meeting and repair work to damaged streets will begin shortly after that.

UPDATE 8/17/2023 at 7:00PM

Updates from our volunteer activities:

1. In preparation for the end of residential passes by the State’s debris collector, the City is compiling volunteer sanitation squads to help residents in need of assistance in some of the lighter hit areas of the City. We are in need of people willing to volunteer a truck to drive around neighborhoods with volunteers picking up debris. If you can help, email volunteer@barrecity.org.

As a reminder, all debris had to be out by August 7. After this residential pass ends on Friday August 18, residents will be responsible for disposal.

2. Over the weekend we held a volunteer clean-up day in partnership with Vermont River Conservancy and the Barre River Access Task Force. With around 20 volunteers they reclaimed the floodplain, reinserted stepping stones, and resurfaced the trail tread.

3. Also on Saturday, the Granite City Garden Club along with several volunteers, continued to reclaim the tree plots along Main Street, disposing flood soaked silt, and replacing with new dirt and flowers.

As always, the City of Barre extends its appreciation to everyone who continues to step up and help with our recovery.

UPDATE 8/15/2023 at 1:00PM

Debris removal updates:
(1) The household hazardous waste drop-off location at the Auditorium will close on Friday, August 18. Check our the debris removal section of the website for details about items that can be dropped off at this location.
(2) Debris pick-up by the state contractor will end on Friday, August 18. The deadline for placing debris out for pick up by the state contractor was August 7. If it has not already been placed outside for pick-up, residents will be responsible for debris disposal.
(3) The City's dumpsters have been removed as of this morning. Please do not place debris in any dumpster located in the City unless it is your own.

UPDATE 8/13/2023 at 6:30PM

An updated street closures map has been posted, effective Monday 8/14/2023 through Friday 8/18/2023.  You can access the map on our website by clicking here.

UPDATE 8/9/2023 at 9:00PM

Volunteer Opportunity: Join Vermont River Conservancy and the River Access Task Force as they repair Barre’s river trail behind Rotary Park.  Volunteers will:

• Pick up debris
• Rebuild the trail tread
• Place stepping stones

DATE: Saturday, August 12
TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Meet at Rotary Park (56 Parkside Terrace)

For more details and sign-up information, click here to see the event flyer.

UPDATE 8/8/2023 at 9:15PM

Street Closures Update:  N. Main Street paving is complete, and it is OPEN to traffic.  As a reminder, you can always find the most current street closures map on our website.

UPDATE 8/7/2023 at 6:00PM

Street Closures Update: For Tuesday, August 8, N. Main will be CLOSED between Second and Fourth Streets from 6:00AM - 4:00PM. The re-paving should wrap up tomorrow, weather permitting.
As a reminder:
(1) Respect barricades (always, not just on N. Main)
(2) Seek alternate routes
(3) Violators will be ticketed

Keep the workers safe, and let us do the job right so the pavement lasts.

UPDATE 8/7/2023 at 9:15AM

System Wide Water Main Flushing Correction 8/7/2023*

The City of Barre Water Department will begin flushing water mains at midnight on Monday, August 7, 2023 and will continue for 6-7 days.*

Residents in higher elevations will be affected and water will be discolored. In case of dirty water, open cold water faucet for approximately 5-10 minutes to flush your service line. Customers are encouraged to draw water in advance for cooking and consumption.

The City of Barre conducts water main flushing to promote and maintain high quality drinking water supply to all residents and customers. The flushing process removes any accumulated sediment in the piping systems. The sediment may be minute mineral particles or byproducts from the aging of the pipe such as iron, calcium or other naturally occurring metals in the water and water supply system.

The water is safe for consumption as usual, as disinfection processes have been in continuous operation. The flushing activity removes as much of the sediment as possible but because the pipe system responds differently to hydrant use than everyday operations – some turbulence occurs outside of the pipe being actively flushed.

The water may be discolored during the operations as some sediment is stirred up and remains in suspension in the water. The water may appear light yellow to tan during flushing operations. Laundering may be slightly affected during the process because of the slight discoloration.

The recommended flushing time for a home is up to ten minutes as a means to assure that any water drawn into the house service is flushed out. The recommended faucet is a cold water high flow device such as a bath tub or outside hose bib. The target volume is 15 to 25 gallons of water. In some cases, there are suspended particles in the water main, which will be reduced by further flushing operations or natural settling over the course of 2 - 3 days.

We appreciate your patience and understanding. We welcome your feedback through the use of the city’s website or by calling to inform us of your water quality concerns.

-City of Barre Water Department

UPDATE 8/6/2023 at 9:15PM

N. Main Street from Blackwell Street to 5th Street from 6:00AM to 5:00PM is CLOSED for paving. No vehicles will be allowed through and violators will be ticketed. Please seek alternate routes.

By staying off N. Main you
(1) allow the crews working there to stay safe and

(2) do your part to ensure the pavement lasts longer.

UPDATE 8/6/2023 at 9:00PM

Flood-related debris pick up will start to wind down the week of August 7, 2023. If you have not done so already, please place FLOOD-RELATED debris on the edge of your property by Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5PM.

Have questions about where to place your debris? Here’s a handy guide:
NO DO NOT place it on the street
NO DO NOT place it on the sidewalk
YES DO place it on the edge of your property where the trash hauler can reach it

The contractor cannot go onto private property to grab debris  

If you are very eager to get rid of your flood-related debris, bring it to one of 3 City dumpsters on Merchants Row. These dumpsters will be removed by Friday, August 11, 2023.

Please check the Debris Pickup website for the most updated information.

UPDATE 8/4/2023 at 9:00PM

• N. Main Street Update: N. Main Street will reopen during the weekend and will CLOSE again on Monday, August 7 from 6:00AM to 5:00PM for continued paving. Please seek alternate routes, no vehicles will be allowed through, and violators will be ticketed. Keep the crews safe and let us do the job the right way so the pavement will last longer.
• Volunteer Hub: The City will begin hosting a daily volunteer hub at City Hall Park beginning Monday, August 8 from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. Come see our Volunteer Coordinator Adam Jacobs — he will:
  • Deploy volunteers to projects
  • Intake requests for assistance
  • Guide residents to services.

Please check out our volunteer website ("I want to Volunteer" and "I need Volunteer help") for more information.  The Saturday volunteer hub will continue to meet Saturdays from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at Aldrich Library. The City is grateful to everyone who has already stepped up to help our residents recover.

UPDATE 8/3/2023 at 3:30PM

Flood Recovery Updates:

• Street Closure Update: N. Main Street will be CLOSED  overnight on Thursday and is expected to be closed until 6:00PM Friday August 4 for re-paving. No vehicles will be allowed through, so please plan ahead and seek alternate routes. We will provide updates on the condition of the road if the work is disrupted by rain.
• Auditorium Shelter Closing: The shelter operated by the Red Cross at the Auditorium will cease operations Friday, August 4. This shelter has been operational since the afternoon of July 10, and the Red Cross has housed, fed, and taken care of many Barre and surrounding area residents since then. We appreciate the Red Cross' dedication to our friends and neighbors in need during the immediate aftermath of this flood.
• Debris Removal: The state's debris removal contractor continues to make progress around the City. If your debris has not been picked up, it's likely because your area of the City was least impacted. Commercial pick ups will end this week, and further residential pick ups will continue as needed. If you have manageable debris piles, your best option for disposal is to drop it off at one of the City's Myers dumpsters on Merchants Row.
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Site: Barre residents can drop off their household hazardous waste at the Auditorium parking lot. Check out this website for the specific location and acceptable items to drop off at this site. It is anticipated the site will be open for 2 weeks.
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center: Be sure to visit FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center at the Auditorium. Signs will guide you to the location in the basement. FEMA representatives there can help you begin the recovery process and will answer questions. FEMA is available from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days a week.

UPDATE 8/2/2023 at 5:00PM

Street Closures Update: N. Main Street will be CLOSED Thursday 8/3 and Friday 8/4 from approximately 6:00AM to 7:00PM for re-paving. No vehicles will be allowed through, so please plan ahead and seek alternate routes.

As a reminder, you can always find the most current street closures map on our website.

UPDATE 8/2/2023 at 11:30AM

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

Barre residents can now drop off flood-related household hazardous waste at the Auditorium!  Come to the back of the Auditorium parking lot (drive to the X on the map below) and sort and drop-off:

• Fuels (flammables and thinners)
• Propane
• Bleach
• Acids
• Caustics (bases)
• Aerosols (spray cans)
• Paints (non-aerosol)

The site will be open for about two weeks. If you cannot physically drop-off materials, sort them on the corner of your property (NOT on City streets or sidewalks) and volunteers will be doing collections).

UPDATE 8/1/2023 at 4:30PM

Flood Recovery Updates:

• N. Main Street Paving: N. Main Street will be CLOSED from 6:00 AM to 5:00PM from Seminary to 4th Street on Thursday 8/3 and Friday 8/4 for re-paving. No vehicles will be allowed through, so seek alternate routes.
• Water discoloration: Several residents have contacted the City about water discoloration. The Water Treatment Plant has conducted ~40 tests since the Boil Water Notice was lifted, and all the tests have shown that the water remains safe for drinking. The discoloration is due to sediment in pipes that is normal after the type of disruption our water system faced during and after the flood.
• Debris removal: The State's contractor is continuing debris removal operations. After the first pass of commercial debris is removed, the contractor will be only able to remove residential debris.
• City dumpsters: The City's dumpsters are scheduled to be emptied tomorrow and will be relocated to Merchant's Row and Enterprise Alley.

UPDATE 7/31/2023 at 3:30PM

Debris Removal Update: The State's debris removal contractor has made great progress and should have its first pass across the City completed by Wednesday.  After the first pass is completed, there will no longer be any commercial pick-ups, per the agreement with the State. After the first pass is complete, commercial properties must place debris in their own dumpsters.  Subsequent passes by the contractor will occur for residential passes only.

UPDATE 7/28/2023 at 4:45PM

Need help with the flood recovery process? Come see FEMA at the Disaster Recovery Center located at the Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill)!
+Kickstart your recovery
+Get help with your FEMA application
+Upload documents
+Get answers to your questions in-person
+Small Business Administration representatives will be present, too!

 The center is open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

UPDATE 7/27/2023 at 6:15PM

Flood Recovery Updates:

• FEMA is at the Auditorium: A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is operational at the Auditorium. Hours: 8AM - 7PM everyday. Go see FEMA at the Aud to get your recovery process started.
• Resource Hub: We met with social service organizations, state agencies, clergy, and other key stakeholders to take the first steps towards a long-term recovery hub for residents. This will be housed at City Hall. Announcements on this will be forthcoming as details are worked out.
• Debris Pick-Up: The State's contractor continues to haul debris out of hot spots. Yesterday 130 tons of debris were removed. Residents in areas with isolated damage are encouraged to bring flood-related debris to the dumpsters the City has placed around Main Street.
• Volunteers: Yesterday, 185 AOT volunteers worked at 34 sites. Another big volunteer day is planned for Saturday.

UPDATE 7/27/2023 at 8:45AM

• North Main Street is OPEN: Crews have made sufficient progress to allow us to reopen North Main.  Please use caution traveling through the area. 

UPDATE 7/26/2023 at 3:45PM

• Debris Removal: The State's debris removal contractor have been circulating around the City.
• FEMA: FEMA is available at the Auditorium.  If you have questions or need help with the recovery process, make your way up to the Civic Center.  Relief organizations are also staged there with food and supplies. 
• Street Closures: There has been no change to the street closures map.  The latest closure map is available by clicking here.

UPDATE 7/25/2023 at 2:00PM

• FEMA Town Hall Video:  Thank you to all who attended the FEMA Town Hall.  If you missed it, or want to re-watch the event, it is available on CVTV. 
• City Council Meeting: The City Council meets Tuesday at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.  Click here for the agenda and the Zoom link if you prefer to join remotely.
• Debris Removal: The State's debris removal contractor has started to circulate around the City.  Make sure your debris is located on the edge of your property and off the street. The City continues to maintain 3 Myers dumpsters along Main Street for residents who can bring their own debris for removal. 

UPDATE 7/24/2023 at 2:15PM

Programming note about the FEMA Town Hall Meeting tonight happening tonight from 5:00-7:00PM: CVTV will not be broadcasting the event live --- they will be taping it and the Town Hall will be re-broadcast in full on CVTV (http://cvtv723.org/) Tuesday through Sunday.

Not to worry! If you want to see the event live, there are still two easy ways of doing so:

(1) Attend in-person at the Barre Opera House

(2) Zoom in: If you cannot make it in-person and want to watch the event live, log in to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258984365?pwd=blMxOTJRbXdpWElvbDN1QU1ZSFJ4dz09

Meeting ID: 862 5898 4365
Passcode: 722029

One tap mobile: 1 (929) 205-6099

UPDATE 7/24/2023 at 12:00PM

Attention Barre merchants and business owners: The Small Business Administration will also be present at tonight's FEMA Town Hall to answer questions about the recovery process. The Town Hall is tonight (Monday 7/24) from 5-7PM.
Here is how to join:
(1) In-Person at the Barre Opera House (6 N. Main Street)
(2) Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258984365?pwd=blMxOTJRbXdpWElvbDN1QU1ZSFJ4dz09

Meeting ID: 862 5898 4365
Passcode: 722029

(3) Watch a rebroadcast on CVTV from Tuesday through Sunday: http://cvtv723.org/

UPDATE 7/24/2023 at 9:15AM

• FEMA Town Hall Details: Planning to join the FEMA Town Hall tonight, Monday, July 24 from 5:00 - 7:00PM?  Details for this event are located at our Flood 2023 Press Releases, Events & Announcements website. Here are 3 ways to join:
  (1) In-Person: Barre Opera House (6 N. Main Street)
  (2) CVTV: http://cvtv723.org/
  (3) Zoom (NOTE: Zoom participants will only be able to ask questions via the chat function): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258984365?pwd=blMxOTJRbXdpWElvbDN1QU1ZSFJ4dz09

  Meeting ID: 862 5898 4365
  Passcode: 722029

  One tap mobile: 1 (929) 205-6099

• Street closures: Remember to get the latest street closures map on our website. 
• Debris pick-up: The City is transitioning away from independent trash haulers and latching on to the State contract for debris removal.  We expect the State contractor to begin operating in the City on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Details will be confirmed as soon as they are made available to the City. 
• Water discoloration: You may have noticed water discoloration in your home.  We have continued to monitor water quality and it is safe to drink.  This discoloration is likely caused by the disruption to the water system from the flood, but there are no known leaks at this time. 

UPDATE 7/21/2023 at 3:15PM

• FEMA Town Hall Details: Planning to join the FEMA Town Hall on Monday, July 24 from 5:00 - 7:00PM?  Details for this event are located at our Flood 2023 Press Releases, Events & Announcements website. Here are 3 ways to join:
  
  • (1) In-Person: Barre Opera House (6 N. Main Street)
  • (2) CVTV: http://cvtv723.org/
  • (3) Zoom (NOTE: Zoom participants will only be able to ask questions via the chat function):

    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86258984365?pwd=blMxOTJRbXdpWElvbDN1QU1ZSFJ4dz09

    Meeting ID: 862 5898 4365
    Passcode: 722029

    One tap mobile: 1 (929) 205-6099

UPDATE 7/21/2023 at 6:30AM

Here is what's on tap for today the next couple of days:

• Multi-Agency Resource Center at the Auditorium basement -- Friday July 21 - Sunday, July 23, 9:00 AM - 5:00PM. Get food, water, supplies, and meet federal and state agencies for assistance with recovery.
  
• Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream + FEMA + Free Pool Day: Saturday, July 22, Barre City Municipal Pool, FEMA and ice cream from 12:30 - 2:30 PM (Pool is open regular hours)
  
• FEMA Town Hall: Monday, July 24, Barre Opera House, 5:00PM - 7:00PM (CVTV will broadcast, and a Zoom option will be available for people to ask questions through the chat.
  
• Volunteer Opportunities -- If you have registered to volunteer through our website, be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities coming your way for Saturday.

Check out the Press Releases, Events & Announcements section of the website for a running list of flood recovery related events and information. 

Please note, routine website and Facebook updates may become less regular during the weekend. 

UPDATE 7/20/2023 at 4:00PM

• STREET SWEEPING ANNOUNCEMENT: If you are parked on Main Street and surrounding downtown streets, please make an effort to park your vehicle in a driveway or parking lot. DPW crews will be conducting street sweeping all night. Please do your small part to help our crews by moving your vehicles. Remember -- we are not enforcing meters, so you can find a parking spot at a City parking lot.

UPDATE 7/20/2023 at 3:00PM

Flood Recovery Updates:

• The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) returns to the Auditorium basement from Friday 7/21 - Sunday 7/23. It will be open from 9AM - 5PM every day. MARCs are one-stop locations for food, supplies, water, and government and nonprofit agencies (including FEMA, Economic Services, and Dept of Health and Labor, among others) will be on hand to answer questions.
  
• Please use caution to avoid scams and fraud during the recovery. FEMA agents will always have a badge to identify themselves, and members of relief organizations (like the Red Cross and Salvation Army) will also have ID. Ask to see ID. No legitimate relief organizations should be charging residents for muck outs.
• There is more rain the forecast for Friday. The National Weather Service is predicting average rainfall amounts of 0.5 - 0.75 inches, and isolated areas of above 1 inch. With the saturation of the ground, this again has the potential to cause isolated flash flooding. Please use caution and call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in imminent danger.

UPDATE 7/20/2023 at 10:45AM

• FEMA has a unit set up at the Auditorium today through 4PM. Representatives there will be doing intakes and answering questions. As you come up Auditorium Hill, turn left and you will see their white truck and rent. Stop by if you have questions or need information on the recovery process.

UPDATE 7/19/2023 at 1:15PM

FEMA will be holding a Town Hall meeting to provide overviews of the recovery process and answer questions.

• DATE: Monday, July 24
  
• TIME: 5:00 - 7:00PM
  
• LOCATION: Barre Opera House (6 N. Main Street)

A Zoom link will be provided (and will be posted here and on our Facebook page). Participants will be able to listen via Zoom but only ask questions through the chat function.
CVTV will record the event as well.

UPDATE 7/19/2023 at 11:00AM

• Relief Center: The Auditorium is staged with relief organizations.  You can head up there, go to the relief organization tents and receive food, water and supplies. 
  
• Street Closures: Large portions of North Main Street remain closed and major repaving will need to occur in the area.  Please continue to respect the barricades so crews can work and residents can continue with their recovery. 
• Avoid Main Street Travel: In order to minimize dust and to improve air quality, please avoid Main Street vehicular travel unless absolutely necessary. 
• Parking Moratorium: As a reminder, the City Council approved a moratorium on the enforcement of parking meters.  NO TICKETS HAVE BEEN ISSUED SINCE THE FLOOD.  Drivers who park in front of hydrants are subject to ticketing.    . 

UPDATE 7/18/2023 at 5:40PM

• Boil Water Notice: The Boil Water Notice impacting users of the Barre City Municipal Water System was lifted after samples showed no contaminants.  Tap water is safe to drink. 
• Street Closures: The latest street closures map has been posted on the Street Closures website.
  
• Ben & Jerry's and FEMA for a Free Pool Day: Ben & Jerry's will be handing out free ice scream at the Municipal Pool on Saturday, July 22, 2023.  FEMA representatives will be present, and the Salvation Army will be handing out supplies and other goodies.  And pool admission will be free.  Check out the flyer here.  Hope to see you at the pool!

UPDATE 7/18/2023 at 2:30PM

• Hazardous Waste Disposal Event: Central Vermont Solid Waste Management is hosting an emergency household hazardous waste and EPR collection event for Barre City residents on Thursday, July 20 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rotary Park (36 Parkside Terrace).  Go to our Debris Pickup website for details.

UPDATE 7/18/2023 at 12:15PM

• Boil Water Notice: The Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Samples were dropped off at the lab yesterday afternoon. Results are generally reported within 24 hours. Thank you to users of our water system for their patience. We know this continues to be a hardship. There is plenty of drinking water available for free from relief organizations staged at the Auditorium.
• Relief Center: The Civic Center complex (Auditorium, BOR) has relief organizations (Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Southern Baptists) set up to provide meals, water and supplies.  Make your way up the hill and you will find the tents of the various organizations with available supplies.  The Red Cross is delivering meals and supplies with mobile units today -- call 1-800-Red-Cross to request assistance at your home.
• FEMA: There is no longer a FEMA representative at the Auditorium, but FEMA teams are conducting door-to-door assessments.  City staff and FEMA are organizing a FEMA town hall for the coming week.  Details will be announced after they are confirmed.  Check out our Recovery Resources and Updates website for information on how to get the FEMA recovery started.

UPDATE 7/17/2023 at 6:00PM

• Boil Water Notice: The Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Samples have been dropped off at the lab. Results generally come back within 24 hours. Thank you to users of our water system for their patience. We know this continues to be a hardship. There is plenty of drinking water available for free at the Relief Center at the Auditorium.
  
• Debris Pick-Up: Check out the new debris pickup website on the menu to the right of this page.  We have deployed debris pick up services to 8 sectors across the City.  Details can be found here.
• Street Closures: We have created a new website dedicated to street closures.  It is available at the menu on the right of this page or by clicking here.

UPDATE 7/17/2023 at 12:30PM

Please see updates from the flood recovery:

• Boil Water Notice:  The Boil Water Notice remains in effect.  Crews have collected samples and they are on their way to the lab for testing.  Results generally come back within 24 hours.  Thank you to users of our water system for their patience.  We know this continues to be a hardship.  There is plenty of drinking water available for free at the Relief Center at the Auditorium. 
• Debris Pick-Up: We are committing significant resources to collecting and removing debris.  Here are resources for residents looking to have debris removed:
  • 3 large dumpsters (Myers) on Main Street.  These will be emptied as often as possible. As needs shift, these will be rotated around to other parts of the City
  • Dump-trailers are deployed on North Main near Beckley, where the need is the greatest.  As that are is cleared, the dump-trailers will be re-deployed to other parts of the City.
  • 2 trash haulers have begun to make trips around the City to remove garbage.  These haulers have been assigned sectors based on where the highest impact of the flood occurred.  As those areas are cleared, the haulers will be redeployed to lower impact parts of the City. 
  • The City has re-deployed Facilities Department staff to assist with the clean-up as well, and they will be covering areas with lighter needs, commensurate with the equipment they are able to use for this purpose.
• Relief Center: The Red Cross Relief Center is fully operational at the Auditorium.  Crews will direct you to pick up locations for supplies, food, and water. 
• Website Resources: Please make sure to visit the Recovery Resources and Updates section of the website as we continue to populate new information, including information on tax abatement for damaged properties, Small Business Administration loans, and how to start your recovery process with FEMA.

UPDATE 7/16/2023 at 12:00PM

Street Closure Update: On Monday, July 17, Washington Street will be closed from W Patterson to the City line for a storm drain culvert replacement. The road will be closed to all traffic from 6:00AM until the work is completed.  Work on the site is expected to last most of the day.

UPDATE 7/16/2023 at 9:15AM

Relief Center Update: If you are heading to the relief center today, supplies and support will be available at the basement of the Auditorium. As you head up the Hill on Seminary, veer left before the Auditorium and volunteers will be available there.

UPDATE 7/15/2023 at 9:30PM

Please see the latest recovery updates:

• Tomorrow's forecast: A Flood Watch is in effect from 6:00AM Sunday through 6:00AM Monday.  In Barre, we can expect 1.5-2 inches of rain on Sunday.  Thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall and gusty winds during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday..  Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall may result in additional flash flooding and landslides through Sunday night. Some main-stem rivers may again go above flood stage late Sunday into Monday. Our crews have taken preventative measures.  The Auditorium remains open as a shelter for people who need to leave their home.  Please call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in imminent danger during the storm. 
• Boil Water Notice: The Boil Water Notice remains in effect. We know this has been a hardship. It will remain in effect through the weekend. There is water available at the Relief Center.
• Street Clean-Up: Crews worked today to clear streets.  Progress continues to be made.  As areas with heavy impact are cleared, crews will fan out to areas with lighter impact. 
• Dumpsters: There are 5 dumpsters deployed throughout the City, one in front of Nelson's Ace Hardware and 4 on the North End.  Two more dumpsters arrive on Monday and locations will be announced on the website and Facebook page.  Dumpsters will be cleared and placed as clean-ups proceed.
• Debris Pick-Up: A trash hauler is making rounds through the City.  Check out the map below at the 7/14/2023 5:00PM update for areas that are currently covered by this service.  This will expand next week and updated maps with pick up locations will be announced as capacity expands.   
• Relief Center: The Relief Center is operational and running at the Auditorium parking lot and BOR.  Volunteers will hand out and help load food, water, supplies, and provide emotional support.  The relief center is operational 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
• Street Closures: The posted street closures map is accurate, with the exception of the Washington Street closure from W Patterson to the City Line.  That particular closure will be effective Monday, July 17, 2023 at 6:00AM. 
• Volunteers: We are very grateful for the mass of volunteers that showed up from Barre City, the region, state and New England.  These volunteers reached many homeowners who had requested assistance, and did general clean up of light-moderate debris.  Additional volunteer opportunities will be announced on the website and Facebook.  Thank you to all who showed up for our family, friends, neighbors, and merchants in need.

UPDATE 7/14/2023 at 9:45PM

The latest street closures map has been posted under the Press Releases, Events & Announcements section of the website. 

UPDATE 7/14/2023 at 5:00PM

Curbside debris collection will begin tonight. Our vendor will begin collections this weekend covering the streets highlighted in the map below.
YES Flood debris, furniture, household goods, flooring
YES Separate metals
NO Household hazardous waste
NO Chemicals
NO Batteries
NO Tires
Please respect the rules and keep this limited to flood related waste.

UPDATE 7/14/2023 at 4:30PM

Call for volunteers!

We appreciate all the people who have reached out wanting to help with our recovery.  We appreciate your patience -- we have been focused on major clean-up efforts but are prepared to deploy volunteers to help with this process.

WHEN: Saturday, July 15 at 9:30 AM
WHERE: Aldrich Library lawn (6 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641). There is parking available near the library and behind City Hall. If you are local, it will be best to walk down. A tent with in-take volunteers will be set up on the lawn. Please check in there.
WHAT: Volunteers will be deployed to homes that advance teams have assessed for light to moderate clean-up. There will also be opportunities for teams to do light sweeping of dust and debris removal.
WHAT TO BRING: Heavy duty work gloves, boots, masks, brooms, dustpans (or shovels). Please also bring water and food if you have the access to it so that supplies can be reserved for families in need. There will be access to a refrigerator in the library to store limited amounts of food.

If you are in need of assistance or could use volunteers for light to moderate work, please also come by and we will send teams if they are available. Volunteers will not be deployed to do muck outs at this time.

Thank you for stepping up for our community!

UPDATE 7/14/2023 at 11:00AM

Please see below for updates on the recovery and clean-up.

• Boil water notice will remain in effect at least through the weekend.  We understand how difficult this has been for people already dealing with hardships of the flood.  However, we needed to stabilize our water treatment system before we could collect samples.  Once samples are collected, it generally takes 24 hours for results.  We will clear the boil water notice as soon as we are assured the water is safe to drink.
  • Water is available at the AUD.  We will also have Lawson's Finest Liquids dispensing water on Monday and Tuesday at a location to be determined.
  • You can still drink the water you boil.
  • The water in the taps is safe for showering and hand washing.
• Dumpsters: One additional large dumpster has been delivered to the City and placed outside Nelson's Ace Hardware.  Two additional dumpsters are in route and are expected to arrive by Monday.  Two smaller dumpsters have already been deployed to the North End, where the impact was the most severe, and those will remain there for now. 
• Resources and Assistance: The Vermont Labor Council will be set up at City Hall Park on Saturday, July 15 from 12-3:00 PM.  They will have meal bags, emotional support resources, and some help with repairs.  Please stop by if you are in need of assistance. 
• Streets/Debris Clean-Up: Most of the City's assets are deployed to the North End at this point due to the severity of the impacts there.  We have started to fan out crews to deal with smaller sections of mud.  Debris pickup will take longer as we prioritize clearing mud.  The City is committed to helping residents clear debris related directly to flood damage.  Once crews can be disengaged from major street work, we will deploy resources to debris collection. 
• Volunteers: Relief organizations are conducing assessments today.  We expect further updates this afternoon about volunteer opportunities over the weekend. 

UPDATE 7/13/2023 at 9:00PM

A street closure map was added to the website.  You can access it here under Press Releases & Announcements, or by clicking here.

UPDATE 7/13/2023 at 1:00PM

Please see below for updates on the recovery and clean-up.

• Today's forecast:  There is heavy rain in the forecast for today.  DPW and support crews have been working to clear trash racks, bridges, and other areas on the river where debris accumulated to prevent any additional damage.  This has been a high-priority for today.  
• N. Main clean-up: DPW crews have also been working on North Main from Blackwell to 5th Street.  This will clear up one of the hardest hit areas in the City, and allow full access to the Public Safety Building.
• Dumpsters: Two dumpsters are expected to be delivered today, and they will be placed on Beckley by the Mutuo Club and on 2nd Street.  Additional dumpsters are expected either Friday or Monday, to be placed at downtown locations. 
• Street clean-up: Street sweepers have been making rounds and will fan out to affected areas of the City as available. 
• Supplies, food, and water: We are working with relief organizations to set up a drive-through location at the Auditorium for people to receive food, water and supplies. Relief organizations are awaiting trailers and once those arrive, this drive-through will be activated. 
• Water: The boil water advisory remains in effect.  Water is available at the Auditorium.  Residents are advised to boil water if they have the ability to do so.
• Volunteer opportunities: Relief organizations are conducting need assessments and will be prepared to receive volunteer assistance this weekend.  The conditions of the muck is dangerous, and before we send volunteers into houses we need to make sure it is safe for them to enter.  We appreciate the urgency with which everyone has wanted to jump in to help.  We ask for your patience so that you can volunteer without putting yourself or others at risk. 

UPDATE: 7/12/2023

The City will be maintaining and updating this page with important information regarding the flood response.

We appreciate everybody's patience as we begin to dig out from this historic flood. Our crews and staff have been working around the clock to plan our response. We know people are ready to come out and help, but we ask for your patience so we can deploy volunteers effectively, efficiently, and - most importantly - safely.

Here are some key updates and things we are working on right now. Details on all of this will be forthcoming during the day:

• Volunteers: There are forms available on this site for people who wish to volunteer in the recovery and people requesting assistance.  Please fill those out and someone will be in touch with you. 
• Boil Water Notice: The boil water notice remains in effect for now, due to turbidity at the Water Treatment Plant during the flood. We hope to lift it soon, but for now it remains active.
• Water: There is a limited supply of water at the Auditorium. 2,500 bottles of water are on their way later today, and an additional 500 - 600 bottles will arrive tomorrow and further deliveries are being coordinated.  Please be judicious -- if you are able to boil water, that is the best option at this moment so we can preserve limited supplies for those with the greatest need.
• Clean up: We are working to secure dumpsters for debris removal. We will post locations once the dumpsters have been deployed. Please do not pile up debris on City streets or in the river. Pile it on your property and City crews will conduct pick ups.
• Streets clean up: Burlington has generously lent us a street sweeper that will arrive tomorrow morning. We will be closing sections of the City to all traffic so the street sweepers can do their job. During these closures, any traffic in those sections will be ticketed. We will post the locations of the closures later today.
• Resources for recovery: We will be arranging meetings with representatives of FEMA and the Small Business Administration -- more to come on scheduling. Resources will also start to populate on this website. 
• Repairs: Anyone making emergency repairs should make them - do not wait for permits. City staff will request that the Council waive permit and recording fees for repairs related to flood damage at the Council's next meeting

There is a lot of work ahead of us -- but Barre is resilient and we will come back stronger than ever.