On August 28, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont causing massive flooding and widespread devastation to much of the state. Irene is part of series of extreme weather events and increasing precipitation in the Northeast being exacerbated by climate change. This is not a far off problem – it’s affecting Vermont here and now. These are the stories of Vermonters who have seen the effects of this extreme weather fist hand and believe we have responsibility to do whatever we can to be a part of the solution.
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Video testimonial
Jon Graham lost his Rochester home to Tropical Storm Irene.
Jon grew up in Vermont. He has seen the impact climate change is already having on our state and has experienced its most devastating consequences.
Hear Jon tell his story about that day, and why he feels strongly that we must do all we can to confront climate change.
More Irene Stories
Bouncing Back – Jen Kimmich, Co-Owner of The Alchemist Brewery
Four years. That’s how long it’s been since Tropical Storm Irene wreaked havoc on Vermont – pummeling our infrastructure, destroying businesses and leaving many people homeless. The small business that I co-founded in Waterbury, the Alchemist, nearly got wiped off the map … Read More
The Strength of Community – Deborah Crown, Sharon
We were living about 5 miles north of Barnard, VT on Rte 12. It was a Sunday morning and we were having a quiet, lazy morning fixing brunch and watching the rain. One of us looked out to the brook behind our duplex and noticed that trees were falling along the shores … Read More
Low Hanging Fruit – Jesse Robbins, Burlington
On August 28, 2011, I went on a tubing excursion on the Mad River. I grew up in hurricane country and knew the day before the storm would be a gorgeous one, as the massive low pressure system to our south drew in all the clouds and moisture … Read More