This commentary is by Melissa Whittaker of Plainfield, a member of Extreme Weather Survivors.
Gut-wrenching photos of Asheville’s damaged storefronts and streets have resurfaced my own painful memories of the past year. As Hurricane Helene reached far into North Carolina’s mountains, I thought back to last July, when I watched helplessly as the North Branch River enveloped my restaurant, Positive Pie in Montpelier.
The flood waters retreated, leaving behind more than $600,000 in damages and bringing nearly a year of economic stress and emotional anxiety. For nine agonizing months, our dining area remained empty, a harsh reminder of nature’s wrath.
Exactly one year later, my restaurant flooded again. To experience the flooding once was devastating, but to be hit twice was soul-crushing. What happened in the Appalachians proves what we’ve known for a while: nowhere is safe from the wrath of climate change.
Over the past year, our Vermont community has navigated a tumultuous journey of loss and recovery. Through connection with Extreme Weather Survivors, a nationwide community of people directly impacted by extreme weather disasters, many of us have found a sense of purpose amid the pain. Our collective efforts culminated in the passing of groundbreaking legislation, like Vermont’s Climate Superfund Act (S.259) and has led to other states fighting to pass legislation so that survivors like myself can sue big oil for damages incurred due to climate change.
The devastation that led us here was overwhelming. Our town was hit hard, receiving more than 5 inches of rain in just 24 hours. Streets became rivers, homes were inundated and mud caked almost every surface. Like many North Carolina business owners, I spent weeks sorting through the wreckage in my restaurant, assessing damages and salvaging what inventory we could.
For nine grueling months, my husband and I worked tirelessly. The physical toll of cleanup, along with the emotional exhaustion of battling insurance companies over claims, and navigating the bureaucratic maze of SBA loan paperwork, nearly broke us.
The aftermath of the floods was a blur, and I worried for the health and well-being of my children and husband amid the stress and economic anxiety. As I watch Asheville grapple with the potential loss of $2 billion in fall tourism revenue, I’m reminded of my struggles as a small business owner. It was arguably the most isolating time of my life, and I wondered how we might have been better prepared or even if this could’ve been prevented. I reached out to my elected officials asking them to provide more support to us and our community and I connected with Extreme Weather Survivors and others fighting for S.259.
This groundbreaking legislation is based on a simple premise: fossil fuel companies who knowingly contributed to climate change should pay their fair share for the damage they have helped cause. These funds will be put into a “Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program Fund” financing vital projects to help Vermonters adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. Examples of funded projects include flood protection measures, climate-resilient infrastructure and various other clean energy projects.
Climate attribution science, a cutting-edge area of research, allows scientists to more definitively quantify the extent to which human actions influence certain extreme weather events. Unfortunately, studies show that floods like the ones we experienced in Vermont will become increasingly common and severe. However, climate attribution science provides a crucial link between the actions of major polluters and the devastating impacts we’re experiencing firsthand, strengthening the case for legislation like the Climate Superfund Act and other remedies.
Since July of 2023, I’ve connected with other extreme weather survivors across the country who are fighting for accountability and justice. The profound loss I experienced when Positive Pie flooded resonated deeply with my neighbors who experienced their own losses. In June, we organized an open letter to Gov. Scott, urging him to sign the Climate Superfund Act citing its tri-partisan support. Unsurprisingly, Vermont lawmakers, who deeply value the state’s unique beauty, showed strong support in protecting our state from climate disasters.
Without Gov. Scott’s signature or objection, S.259 passed into law in early June. I’m grateful that we have taken a step forward to hold polluters accountable so that the cost of the damage they have caused won’t be passed on to my children — and I sleep more restfully knowing that our state is prioritizing resiliency projects that protect their future. I hope that the climate superfund proposals being considered nationwide will bring peace of mind to other home and business owners, and deter companies from reckless pollution practices.
If you’ve been affected by extreme weather events, I urge you to share your story with others. Vermont’s response to this crisis — from neighbors helping neighbors to lawmakers passing bold legislation, proves that when we come together we can rise above any challenge and hold polluters accountable. It’s a movement I’m proud to be a part of, and one I hope inspires others to do the same.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Melissa Whitaker: Rising above the floodwaters to advocate .