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Hurricane Irene has caused historic flooding in Vermont, and has stranded 18 Frum families at the Killington Ski Resort.
The group of close to 100 people from New York were visiting the resort, which some Frum people go to in the summer for vacation. The resort is at the top of a mountain, and the massive amount of rain from Hurricane Irene caused severe flooding at the bottom of the mountain. The flooding caused the two roads which lead to and from the mountain to get washed away. They are literally cut off from any assistance whatsoever.
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YWN spoke with a Mr. Klein who is on the mountain who tells us that power has been restored but they are without any Kosher food, or any way of leaving the resort. Misaskim has contacted NYS Governor Cuomo’s office, who has tried putting pressure on the Vermont Governor to have the National Guard try to fly them off the mountain. Additional calls have been made to other elected officials to try and assist them.
In the meantime, Queens Hatzolah Paramedic, and seasoned pilot Eli Rowe is in Sullivan County Airport, and is loading up a plane with food to fly it to the people. The food came from Kiryas Yoel, and was brought to the airport by Chaverim of Kiryas Yoel.
Other Askonim are working on the situation as well, including a chopper which is being flown to assist them.
In an exclusive interview, Eli Rowe tells YWN that he is landing the plane with food at Rutland Airport, and the food will than be flown by chopper and dropped on the mountain for the families.
Mr. Klein stressed that there was no plan by anyone to fly them off the mountain as of this time.
“The only reason the plane and chopper are coming is to bring us food which we literally do not have”, Klein told YWN.
The airlift was assisted in Sullivan County by Catskills Hatzolah, including its Coordinator Yeedle Feig, and Hatzolah member Moshe Altusky.
YWN will continue to update this story as soon as we have further information.
YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos.
(Dov Gordon – YWN)
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11 Responses
Eli Rowe who was a counselor in Aguda in the mid 80s?
Im glad they’re getting help,
but this is no tragedy.
C’mon stuck in vacation resort with a concerned management but without kosher food.
Ya its a bit uncomfortable, but they have fruits, vegetables and probably canned tuna.
Lets not confuse inconveniences with tragedies.
My apologies for the typographical and grammatical errors. This, I hope, makes my comments more understandable.
I don’t know if eleven families (Torah observant or not) being stranded qualifies as a tragedy or not. But for one of our own ba’alei batim to not be overwhelmed with feelings of sympathy for them and of awe and appreciation for those askanim who arranged to help them is indeed quite tragic.
Having said that: the CHaZa”L teach us that when someone needs one coin and he pulls from his pocket a different one, it is considered as if the person has had yisurim. V’hameivin yovin.
I may not be reading correctly, but I haven’t noticed the word “tragedy” in this story at all.
I agree with #2. Drop ’em some bags of rice and potatoes … Enjoy the view!!
Baal Boose,
No one said its a tragedy. However, not having food is more than just a slight inconvenience. As is being stranded away from home.
Lets not confuse inconveniences with tragedies.
Who mentioned tragedy? It is about Yidden helping Yidden.
Fruits and vegs for how long? There is no way any produce can get there until roads are repaired
Now this is newsworthy…!!!! its actually quite humorous!!! Tho I am not sure if I would find it so funny if I was the one stranded without food… but c’mon this sounds like a story out of an adventure book!
My best wishes to the families… I hope they get help soon!
Mi K’amcha Yisroel that we go out of our way to help another Jew in need!
I hope someone thought to drop them a Shoifer too…
We can proudly say, once again, Mi K’amcha Yisrael!!!
Maybe some of the people who are stuck there have jobs or other responsibilities that need attending to? Maybe among them there are teachers that cannot prepare for the school year, which will leave the students without proper instruction?
What if they left some kids by other family members who now cannot watch them any longer?
Maybe there are other possibilities you haven’t thought of?
And maybe some have dietary needs that tuna and vegetables might not cover?
Just because they’re safe, B”H, does not negate that they’re stuck. Nor does it mean they can all afford to just “enjoy the view”.
Again, B”H they’re safe. But let’s at least wish them a safe and speedy return home. And, until then, perhaps they could enjoy the view.