As floods keep coming, this small city can't afford to let people leave
BARRE, Vt. — On the night the river flooded the banks of their house, Shayd and Laurie Pecor fled with their dogs, parked their cars on higher ground and watched as water rushed into their home.
The July 2023 storm submerged the city's downtown under several feet of water, flooded the century-old opera house that doubles as city hall and inundated the police and fire department building, trapping some emergency vehicles. At least 350 properties were damaged — including the Pecors' house, where floodwater ruined much of the basement and first floor.
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