By Michael Bielawski
The Town of Plainfield suffered several bridge collapses and a major water main break in the July 10-11 flood. Large parts of the town are expected to struggle with fresh water and travel for the near future.
Some houses were lost too, but so far no loss of life or injuries has been reported. Creamery Street, Hudson Ave., and Mill Street all look nearly unrecognizable in the village. Brook Road heading south is also completely washed out where it connects to the village.
The bridge to the lower village area from Route 2 still stands, but “all” of the other bridges in town are largely destroyed according to a town worker who said it was still too early to go on the record with damage assessments officially.
Residents as of early morning were out in the streets carrying water jugs, news crews were taking footage and interviewing folks, and the area dirt roads looked almost unrecognizable as the few cars attempting to get around were struggling.
Some residents set up make-shift relief stations with water and supplies. It’s not yet clear how accessible the town is from outside roads, with Route 2 closed heading towards Montpelier and potentially sections could be closed in the other direction.
This hard rain comes roughly on the 1st anniversary of last year’s severe flooding.
One six-unit apartment building just had 15 minutes to evacuate before getting swept away.
The author is a Plainfield resident and reporter for the Vermont Daily Chronicle