Barre’s North End was coated in a thick muddy sludge on Thursday morning, the remnants of multiple feet of water that flooded the area overnight.
Around 10 a.m., traffic was passing, albeit slowly, on the streets. Residents and business owners were employing shovels, rakes and hands to clear walkways of mud and debris, which was several inches thick in some areas. Others were busy pumping water out of their basements.
On Second Street, Corrine Toby was among those in cleanup mode. Toby said she and her 14-year-old daughter moved into their rented unit on the building’s first floor at the beginning of the month. They knew about the flood risks, she said — but didn’t expect a major storm to come so soon.
Over Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, she said, floodwater came about halfway up her front steps and nearly reached the ceiling in her basement. Her unit’s main living space was not flooded, like she was told it was a year ago, she said.
“There’s so much damage in the basement. Especially on the one year anniversary…” the two-decade Barre resident said, trailing off.
Over on North Main Street, workers were busy pumping water out of the underground gas tanks at several gas stations. One of the few convenience stores that was open was North End Deli Mart, where cashier Bobbie Jean Brown said she was feeling grateful.
“I count my blessing that we’re open,” the North End resident said, estimating that a number of other businesses in the city would be closed for at least the next few days.
