Volunteer help is available for those affected by this week's floods

The Vermont State Emergency Operations Center is providing volunteer help cleaning up after the flooding and storm damage the past few days.

Volunteer assistance is available for those needing help cleaning up their homes following Wednesday’s floods. Vermont’s Crisis Cleanup line is active and will help callers with cleanup. Impacted Vermonters can call to request cleanup assistance from volunteer groups and organizations.

The Crisis Cleanup hotline to request assistance is 802-242-2054.

The center is also welcoming volunteers for cleanup or other tasks. Those interested in helping can do so through local volunteer efforts or register at www.vermont.gov/volunteer to be notified of volunteer needs in their community.

Those who wish to donate to flood recovery can call 888-653-7715 or email the state of Vermont at donations@vermont.gov to offer their services.

Vermont state government says small donations of food, clothing and household items are best handled at the local level. Food shelves, community centers and other local charities have the best information about local needs.

Flood response ongoing

In a press conference July 11, Gov. Phil Scott said the response is ongoing. He advised anyone facing damages from the storms to report it to Vermont 211 to qualify for federal assistance.

Shelters for those currently displaced are available in two locations in the state:

• Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre.
• St. Johnsbury School, 257 Western Avenue, St. Johnsbury.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.