COLCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) – First responders are recalling frantic moments getting Vermonters stranded in the floods to safety. As floodwaters hit their peak, swiftwater teams were deployed to the hardest hit areas to rescue those in harm’s way.
“We received a call through 911 that a woman was trapped in her house and the house was sliding into the north branch of the river up there, and as they were pulling her out of the window, the house slid into the river,” said Mike Cannon of Vermont Urban Search and Rescue.
State officials say these crews rescued 120 people, 15 pets and assisted in other areas during the floods.
Similar to last summer’s flooding, crews from out of state were brought in. The crew from Connecticut carried out numerous rescue operations in Barre City as water continued to rise, swallowing cars and leaving people stranded.
“When it’s this widespread and the repetitive one-year nature of it– and seeing the looks on the people’s faces when we’re taking them out of their homes and businesses of not again– it’s pretty awful,” said Daniel Comen of Connecticut Task Force 1.
Many who were rescued were loaded into trucks from the Vermont Army National Guard and taken to shelters.
“I was talking with them, hearing their stories, and now they’re without homes, without property and it was just really heartbreaking,” Vt. Army National Guard Spc. Kyrsten Paroline.
Paroline was deployed to Kyndonville, the town she grew up in. With her was Staff Sgt. Neils Huisman, who says their goal was not only to assist but provide comfort for people on their worst days.
“I think I found out that I really like helping people in situations where they just need a big vehicle and a smiling face to help them out,” Huisman said.
The National Guard says if there are more major flooding events in the future, they’ll be ready.
“There’s a lot of folks that this isn’t their job Monday through Friday,” Vt. Army National Guard Maj. Tom Kumes said. “But when the phone rings, they’re everywhere in the state ready and willing to help.”