Editor’s note: Today’s account of VTDigger’s coverage of this summer’s historic flooding is from Burlington reporter Patrick Crowley.
Dear Reader,
In the immediate aftermath of the July flooding, VTDigger reporters fanned out across the state, logging hundreds of miles in personal vehicles and hiking on foot.
By the time I arrived in Jamaica on July 12, I had been on the road in Southern Vermont reporting on flooding for a couple of days. I already had developed a routine for on-the-ground reporting — relying on town offices, neighborhood markets and word-of-mouth from residents. I walked a lot, checking in on people and listening to their stories. Even if what they shared didn’t make the news, I still felt that every conversation was important.
In Jamaica, I started at West River Provisions, a small deli and grocery in the village. I bought a coffee and those who worked there shared personal stories and referred me to others. I wandered around town talking to residents for a couple hours until I heard a story that I wanted to look into. I hiked up a washed-out road to the home of a woman who was stranded. After I jumped over a flowing brook to access her property, she shared her harrowing story.
In theory, it might have been possible for VTDigger reporters to do some reporting using a phone or email while staying dry in our home offices. But there was never any question or hesitation on how to get these stories. We had to be on the ground with rain jackets, boots, extra water and wet notebooks, showing up where the news was and putting the human impact front and center.
Reporting like this takes resources. And while our news is free to consume, we rely on reader support to make it all possible.
If you can, please join our fall drive and support my work and the hard work of my colleagues here at VTDigger.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We could not have responded to this summer’s events without your contributions.
With gratitude,
Patrick Crowley
Burlington reporter
