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A letter from the President: 9/4/2011
Great Hawk and all other Rochester residents to the west of the White River have become an island, as we are on route 73 and the bridge to the east that connects us to the town collapsed during the storm — the river was 4 feet above the height of the roadway. Route 73 going west enabled us to get about 1/4 of a mile until we encountered large chasms in the road — some of which were 20 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet deep. There are no north or south roads on the Great Hawk side of the town. The car bridge has been replaced with a temporary wooden pedestrian footbridge, which gives us access to the town, where several homes and stores have been washed away and where the major north-south artery once existed (Route 100). Much of route 100 has become a one lane road and in some areas, it no longer exists at all. Route 100 is open from Rochester to Granville and Rte 125 is now open, too! Route 73 opened on Saturday morning as a way to leave the island, but it is often a one lane road, and it is currently only available to those people who are trying to exit Rochester; not to those who want to come into Rochester, which can only be done by coming South on route 100.
They have been airlifting medical supplies and food into our “island,” Our community’s road enables us to move around the mountain (after we cut up all of the trees that lay across our roads). The community, at large, and our mountain community have all banded together and it has been a very cooperative, communal experience. Our only way into town is to park our cars in the fields across from Route 100, walk over the pedestrian bridge that is now located where the vehicle bridge was once located, and walking into town. However, in the days following the hurricane, I only walked into town once, as there is always someone driving by who offers you, your pets, your wheelbarrows, etc., a ride. It is really beautiful to see how everyone is working together to get the community back on its feet! We had utility workers from all over the country and Canada here and numerous groups working on the roads. As noted, we were able to exit “paradise island” since Saturday, September 3rd, but it will take months, if not years, to complete all of the repairs that need to be made. Route 107 and Tozier’s is gone, route 100 is one lane in various locations. There is a new bridge about a mile above Chittenden Brook Trail. There are missing and collapsed buildings in Rochester, etc.
Although some people lost their homes and the damage will negatively impact the local economies through foliage season and beyond, there were no serious injuries or deaths in the communities in the Route 100 valley. When we are able to get back to Rochester, one of the best things that you can do would be to spend money locally. The timing of the hurricane before Labor Day weekend and foliage season will have a serious economic impact on the White River communities. Eat in local restaurants and shop in the local stores.
More details at a later time! We’re all tired, but spirits are good, and there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I hope to be back in NJ at some point over the Labor Day weekend.
-Mark Kassop
President
