Having spent some time in this area last fall I was aware of the damage that was inflicted upon this area. I remember hearing reports of bridges down and consequently only limited access was available to the heart of the town, which was also underwater. Needless to say, it was understood that our group would encounter some restoration projects here.
The first site we visited was a bridge that crosses over the first gorge on the Mad River which runs alongside Moretown, heading south on 100B. It was clear that lots of work had been done to reestablish its usefulness to the town. However, what we did not realize was that this bridge was in fact the bridge that had been washed away during the flood. This bridge is at a very chaotic point on the Mad River, the river flows around a bend and abruptly restricts once it hits the bedrock of the gorge, causing it back up and seek other ways down. We later found this picture of the bridge in pieces on the internet.
Pictured Below...
Having visited the site many months later, evidence of new rock and road provided a clue as to what occurred here many months prior.
(After shot)
Right around the area where the yellow and black caution signs are is, essentially, where the river abruptly constricts. The image below, though blurry, shows how the river backed up once it reached the bridge.
(down river side)
(up river side)
Aside from observing the erosion that had taken place on the bridges concrete and steel structure we noticed a lot of river bank and road reenforcement.
Aside from the civil restorations and evidence of destruction taken place at this location, we noticed a great deal of landscape disturbance. In the area where the flood backed up before the gorge, the river jumped the road as well as took it out and came cascading down through the woods alongside the river and back into the deluge. Evidence of shown by the bending of many trees alongside the river.
Pictures like this that represent ecosystem damage is why we are concerned not only with civil restoration but also ecosystem restoration. Hopefully the interviews that will be conducted tomorrow will provide insight into how Vermont is restoring, if at all, lands that have been affected by Irene.
The next site we visited was a residential home further down stream, just past the town centre. Having volunteered in this area this past fall, we noticed the house had be raised and was sitting on a new foundation. The house was easily standing an extra 9 feet taller than it originally stood prior to Irene. The motivation for raising the house is unclear, but with the river 30 yards from the house it is not unreasonable to believe it may be to protect their living area incase of another flood...Or flood insurance regulations?
The trip to Moretown, VT was interesting. What we noticed most was that the town, though very small, was definitely still in the throws of restoring itself. Evidence of progress from the roads, banks, bridges, town center projects suggests quick civil restoration, while hay bales, garbage, and debris still in the trees suggests state and local priorities.
Below are some more images from our field trip... Interviews tomorrow with Rick Hopkins and Clark Amadon to follow up field work!
