08/31/2011 Braintree, Vt. Neighborhood Bands Together After Irene

Braintree, Vermont - The residents of Riford Brook Road in Braintree, Vermont are doing what they can to access the outside world.

During Sunday's storm, the river rose, taking out the only bridge into the neighborhood.    

It also washed out much of the street.

"The road doesn't even exist, all it is culverts, with nothing around them. Big rocks, trees are in road," said Bruce Tabor.

Tabor has spent the past few days checking in on his fellow neighbors.

With his truck he is barely able to make it a few miles down the road.

"We've been having meetings at 10 o'clock. Everybody gets together and sees if anybody has any needs, like any medications, ice, food," said Tabor.

To reach the other side, they have to climb ladders.

But three days after Irene came through, many say they've received no help from the government.

"Unless you got a generator, which we don't have, we don't have access to. You can't take showers, wash dishes," said Terri Kavanaugh.

Wednesday, Vermont Emergency Management officials say they've added Braintree to their list.

The river didn't just destroy roads and bridges.

It also washed away what used to be a two story home.

"We could hear it kind of crunching and next thing you know, in she went and broke up into a 100 pieces like nothing," said David Atkinson.

Atkinson had been living in his home for more than a decade.

At 70 years old, he says there is no way there is any hope of restoring it.

"I mean I lay in bed at night thinking all things that I don't have now."

But he says at least he's does have the rest of his life to look forward to.