Members of the Libertarian Party of Vermont recently began organizing mutual aid efforts following devastating flash floods that have covered large portions of the state. The storm responsible started early this week and has since dropped upward of nine inches of rain in some areas, according to local media.
The catastrophic storm, which also caused flooding in New York and resulted in at least one casualty, made its way through New England, including Vermont, starting earlier this week. On Tuesday morning, the heaviest rainfall reached Vermont, leading to widespread flooding in numerous cities and small towns and substantially damaging homes and businesses.
Speaking with CNN, Vermont Governor Phil Scott estimated that thousands had felt the storm’s impacts. “I know thousands of Vermonters have lost homes, businesses and more,” Scott is quoted as saying. “The devastation is far reaching.” Some officials and those in the local media have also equated the storm and its effects to the devastation left behind by Hurricane Irene in 2011.
However, at least one political party in Vermont is stepping up in response to the destruction left behind by the flash floods. Members of the Libertarian Party of Vermont, organized by LPVT Chair Olga Mardach-Duclerc, have requested mutual aid from those friends and supporters in the libertarian community. The party has initiated fundraising and resource collection endeavors aimed at assisting the affected residents of the Green Mountain State.
“The Libertarian Party of Vermont is asking Affiliates/Members/Friends to respond to a humanitarian crisis, in support of Flood Relief conducted by the Libertarian Party of Vermont, by ordering/drop-shipping critical household supplies and/or donating cash,” the Vermont affiliate has said. “As Libertarians, we can engage in the type of humanitarian support that personifies the replacement of government intervention with personal mutual aid.”
To that end, the Libertarian Party of Vermont has created several ways for individuals to support them and will be sending out periodic updates. They have set up a donation page on GiveSendGo and created a Walmart wish list featuring essential items for flood relief. Materials currently requested include foodstuffs, trash bags and other cleaning materials, fresh water, and sleeping bags.
Pat Ford, the Region 8 Representative to the Libertarian National Committee, will directly assist the Vermont-based party in the relief efforts. Ford has stated he will personally deliver shipped and donated supplies to a distribution center established by the party in the community of Johnson, Vermont. Members of the party have also stated that the organization will keep a record of any purchased or donated resource on file. The Libertarian National Committee has also been made aware of the storm relief efforts.
The request for aid comes just as more thunderstorms are expected to fall across the Green Mountain State. Yesterday, the National Weather Service issued another storm watch for Vermont starting Thursday, cautioning residents about the likelihood of further thunderstorm activity in the coming days.
A worthy effort.