[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FLOODING IN VERMONT

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, 3 days ago, the heavens opened over 
northern Vermont. Torrential rains sent floodwaters ripping through 
communities and over farmland, tearing bridges from their foundations, 
shredding roads and stranding hundreds of people. The floods that swept 
through sections of northern Vermont were the worst in over 70 years. 
Up to 6 inches of rain fell overnight. Flash floods turned quiet rivers 
and streams into raging waterways in the early morning darkness, 
disrupting the peaceful existence of thousands of Vermonters.
  Yesterday, I spoke with several town officials and residents who were 
hit the hardest. They gave me firsthand accounts of the damage to their 
communities. In some towns, bridges were swept away, roads were washed 
out, pavements were ripped up, cars and trucks were overturned, perhaps 
were destroyed, trees were uprooted, homes were lifted from their 
foundations and filled with water.
  Monday night's torrential rains were followed by a day of heroism--
neighbors, rescue workers, families and friends came together in 
Vermont's close communities. In Eden, 300 Cub Scouts were evacuated 
after the bridge into their camp was washed away. In Cambridge, rescue 
workers saved a 14-year-old girl and her dog who were stranded on a 
washed out roadway. In Montgomery, 11 people were pulled from a mobile 
home roof and carried to safety in a bucket loader moments before the 
trailer was swept away. Volunteers made 1,000 sandwiches for rescue 
workers, and neighbors opened their homes to those who were driven from 
their own.
  There are many courageous stories and events that took place during 
the crisis, and knowing Vermonters like I do, I know there were many 
more heroic stories long after the rivers had receded and the officials 
had left town.
  Mr. President, I am proud of and commend the Vermonters who united 
during this time of disaster to save lives and communities. The damage 
has been substantial and much work still needs to be done. I stand 
ready in every way to assist, if possible, the people of Vermont to 
help rebuild their communities and lives. I know our Governor has 
surveyed the situation and he has made recommendations to the President 
for Federal help. I know the congressional delegation from Vermont is 
doing all it can to make sure the lives that have been disrupted are 
put back as close to normal as possible as soon as possible.
  Mr. President, I thank you for this time. I yield the floor and make 
a point of order that a quorum is not present.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hutchinson]. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________