LUDLOW, Vt. – By now, everyone knows what happened in Ludlow on July 10; the sudden, devastating flooding that put people out of their homes, and shuttered businesses. That afternoon, as Main Street was temporarily part of the Black River streambed, it was difficult to envision how the town would return from the unfolding disaster.
Yet now, through the ceaseless efforts of the community over the three months since the waters receded, the prevailing feeling is that Ludlow is not only ready, but eager for the coming fall and winter seasons, when the town annually plays host to thousands of leaf peepers, skiers, and snowboarders.
“The town is ready with open arms,” says Ludlow town manager Brendan McNamara, expressing optimism for the months ahead. In the wake of the flooding, McNamara explained, many businesses in Ludlow suffered a double blow, being affected not only by the physical repercussions of flood damage, but losing out on summer business as well. However, despite the relatively short time that has passed, McNamara describes the situation in Ludlow as “all systems go.”
“Visitors aren’t going to notice any difference” in the town’s infrastructure, McNamara said, noting that most businesses are either open now, or on track to reopen by the height of the tourist season. In light of the town’s rapid recovery, McNamara told The Journal that, “We hope to see everyone for the fall and winter season.”
Greg Hart, who owns Blue Sky Trading Co. on Main Street, echoed McNamara’s sentiments. “July was slow, but things picked up in August,” Hart explained, saying reactions from recent visitors has varied, and the formerly unavoidable flood damage is now often going unnoticed. “Some people come into town knowing all about what’s happened; other people are like, ‘there was a flood?’” Hart expressed a positive outlook as the foliage season approaches, and hoped that the steady increase in visitors would continue into the traditional tourist time.
The Book Nook owner Scott Stearns also spoke to the uptick in business since the late summer. “Sales have slowly ramped up after the flooding,” Stearns said. “The late summer has been busy as we head into foliage, so we hope for a good winter season.”
Weston Nicoll, owner of the restaurant GameBird, said that he was lucky, with minimal water damage and only a small amount of food stock lost. Nicoll also spoke of lost business, but reiterated what others have said, saying he has seen a steady increase since July, and that he hopes for a snowy winter.
In the wake of the flooding, GameBird provided free meals to workers who were helping to dig out and reconstruct Ludlow’s roads and buildings. However, Nicoll expressed a sentiment that many in Ludlow share when he said, “I don’t want anyone thinking we feel like we did something grand here. We just did what folks do in times like this.” That feeling is widespread in the community, and has contributed to Ludlow’s speedy comeback.
Though the town still does not have a post office or grocery store, there is hope that residents and visitors will not have to go without much longer. As of now, the Ludlow Post Office is physically ready, and awaiting official approval to open its doors, which they hope to do in the next week. As for Shaw’s, at the recent Ludlow Selectboard meeting on Oct. 2, McNamara said that “signs point to” the grocery chain opening “before the ski season.”
Undoubtedly, there is still work to be done. However, in spite of the hardships of the summer, the resounding attitude in Ludlow is that the town, its residents, and its businesses are prepared and excited to welcome the influx of activity, which accompanies the Vermont winter in this small ski town.