Red Cross Volunteers provide emotional support to Vermont Flooding Survivors

By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager

“I felt like I just had to drop everything and just go.”

American Red Cross volunteer Sara Demetry, of Barnet, Vermont, has been concerned about the climate crisis and its impacts on her home state for more than a decade. Demetry works in the field of mental health. She is a therapist with her own private practice. Demetry says as severe weather become a more frequent occurrence, she's prepared herself to help others mentally and emotionally for the potential fallout from these storms. When the historic flooding hit Vermont in early July, she knew she had to jump in and help.

Demetry shares her time and skillset with the Red Cross as a trained disaster mental health responder. Throughout the disaster relief operation in the Green Mountains, more than 50 dedicated health and mental health volunteers, just like Demetry, deployed to the area to support flooding survivors through some of their darkest hours.

“I ended up going to the shelter on Wednesday at a time when the parking lot and a lot of the auditorium were empty. Things were just settling in there and it was amazing to be able to go that early and be able to be there,” says Demetry.

She started talking with those who had evacuated to our disaster shelter to determine the need.

“That first day I just put out my radar. I was trying to get a sense of who needed the support,” says Demetry. “I just sat down and had lunch with people to introduce myself as someone that was interested in how they’re doing, and I just listened.”

Over the next few days, shelter residents would share their stories with Demetry, which were often compelling and heartbreaking.

“There were a couple of stories that really stood out. This woman who lives near the river said the current came up, and she always assumed when the water would come up, it would just be like a lake,” Demetry explained. “But there was a current going through her house and everything was moved. There was sand, silt and water damage. That gave me a feeling of what it was really like to be there.”

“I must’ve been running on adrenaline without realizing it because I had so much energy that day. I think it’s that first experience of realizing that I just experienced something pretty intense and then as the days went on, I could see how that changed. It was very powerful and moving. I felt really privileged to be there,” says Demetry.

Disasters and other stressful life events can create a variety of reactions. These may include feeling physically and mentally drained, becoming easily frustrated or feeling sad, tired, lonely or worried. Those affected may also notice changes in appetite or sleep, and may have trouble making decisions or staying focused.

Keep a particularly close eye on the children in your family. When disaster strikes, a child's view of the world as a safe and predictable place is temporarily lost. Children of different ages react in different ways to trauma, but how parents and other adults react following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely. Your local Red Cross can give you information about helping children cope with disaster and trauma.

According to Demetry, when experiencing a traumatic event, it is important to acknowledge that things are difficult and that you are suffering. 

“If we don’t feel what’s happening, there’s a hardening. We’re in danger of not acting and feeling what’s happening. Allow yourself to feel all the feelings: anger, sadness, fear and denial,” she says.

The path forward, Demetry explains, is opening up and relying on others to help. 

“Community is one of the most important things. What I found so rewarding about working with the Red Cross these past couple weeks is that there is a community, there is a bonding.”

Demetry advises: stay connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do.

Getting ourselves and our lives back in a routine that is comfortable for us takes time. Find a safe place to stay and make sure your physical health needs and those of your family are addressed. Seek medical attention if necessary. Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Recognize that everyone is stressed and may need some time to put their feelings and thoughts in order. 

For more information or to reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.