Green Mountain Club

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July 2023 Flood – Ways to Help Our Communities

July 13, 2023 by Lily LaRegina 6 Comments

Based on a primary assessment of the Long Trail System, we were fortunate to avoid any major infrastructure damage or threats to trail continuity or hiker safety as a result of the torrential rain that battered the northeast and led to the July 2023 flood. However, many of our neighbors and communities did not come away unscathed. Members of the outdoor business coalition like Onion River Outdoors in downtown Montpelier suffered major flooding, and towns that often host resupplying and resting hikers such as Ludlow, Woodstock, Richmond, Waterbury and Johnson were hard-hit. GMC thrives because of the dedication of our many volunteers and we know how wonderful and generous our community is in offering their time, efforts, and resources. We know how eager and willing so many of you to come to the aid of others when it is needed. Here are some ways you can help:

Volunteer

Those who wish to volunteer for on-the-ground clean up and help can sign up through www.vermont.gov/volunteer. Registering through the state’s volunteer portal puts your name and skills on call for state-organized flood response and with other government and nonprofit partners, coordinating and connecting a large volunteer pool with various operations in need of manpower, various skills, and resources.

You can also get involved in locally-organized volunteer efforts, like the following:

  • Montpelier Alive’s volunteer sign up
  • Specific cleanup projects in Montpelier through VolunteerSignup
  • The Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and Barre city volunteer relief sign up
  • Barre City volunteer sign up
  • Waterbury community flood response

We appreciate any willingness to assist GMC but would like to direct this energy toward other relief projects. At this time, staff are coordinating ongoing assessment and field response with a priority of staff and hiker safety.  We are not currently sending volunteers out into the field, but large volunteer clean-up projects will be available in the future as we gain a comprehensive understanding of the system-wide needs.  Please check our website and be on the lookout for emails with future volunteer clean-up projects.

Donate

Another way to help if you’re unable to contribute physical labor or aren’t local to Vermont is through monetary donations. There are several funds and relief organizations accepting donations that will go specifically towards flood relief and recovery:

  • Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023
  • Northeast Organic Farming Association’s (NOFA) Farmer Emergency Fund
  • Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund
  • Montpelier Alive is collecting donations to rebuild downtown and support local businesses
  • Capstone’s Emergency Response Fund
  • Northern New England Red Cross
  • Your local United Way

Make sure you’ve vetted any funds or organizations you’re considering donating to, as unfortunately online scams do try to take advantage of natural disasters and those looking to offer support.

Shop Local

Another way to help is through the purchase of gift cards from affected businesses. This is a great way to support local restaurants, shops, farms, and other establishments as they address damage and losses and work to reopen. Businesses that are able to remain open are also in need of support, as many turn extra attention and resources toward community rebuilding.

Spread Support Opportunities

Share fundraisers and resources with friends and family. Encourage them to also share these ways to help. We’re grateful for this community of people who are so eager and willing to help.

—–

For ongoing trail condition updates, reroutes, closures and guidance for hikers in the aftermath of the flood, visit our July 2023 Flood Updates page.

Filed Under: News

Comments

  1. Janet B says

    July 17, 2023 at 5:53 am

    FYI. find gift cards is NOT helpful. that income needs to be deducted from any assistance they may receive. and if they don’t reopen they may need to return the gift card money. this happened to me during covid.

    Reply
    • Chloe Miller says

      July 18, 2023 at 9:40 am

      Thanks for the insight, Janet! Several businesses have requested gift cards as a way to support them right now. Perhaps folks can check in with the local businesses they hope to support and ask how their dollars can be most helpful.

      Reply
  2. Marti Townley says

    July 18, 2023 at 7:31 am

    We would like to hike the Killington area from rt 103 to Cold River Rd., then from there to US 4 on July 23-24. Can you drive on these roads?

    Reply
    • Chloe Miller says

      July 18, 2023 at 9:53 am

      Hi Marti, Currently Cold River Road is closed from the west side but you can access it from the east, through Shrewsbury. Hope that helps! The other roads are currently open. Check directly with the towns or on https://newengland511.org/region/Vermont

      Reply
  3. Bob Powell says

    July 19, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    Hoping to hike Camels Hump Saturday 7/22/23
    via the Monroe trail. Any issues with the roads in?
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. DAVID HANNIGAN says

    July 29, 2023 at 11:17 am

    Would like to backpack Stratton pond Bourn Pond loop the first week of August. Is this trail open and passable?

    Reply

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May 31, 2025

GMC wants to help you make the most of your summer with Summer Hiking Bingo! These challenges are designed to help you get outside, learn new hiking skills, and connect with the hiking community. Download and print your own or stop in at GMC's Visitor Center to pick up your bingo board. When you're … Read more

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Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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