Originally published August 30, 2011.

In Richmond and Waterbury, Waitsfield and Moretown, you can tell where the filthy waters traveled by the gray-brown crust that coats porches, flowers, cars and walls. Entire fields of corn lay spent, the water rendering them inedible.

In Richmond, the Winooski River spilled throughout downtown, claiming 15 pigs and all of the crops and hay at Jericho Settlers Farm, ruining the entire garden at On the Rise Bakery in Richmond and, of course, spilling through houses. When the same river poured into downtown Waterbury on Sunday night, it filled the basement of the Alchemist Pub & Brewery, tossing around kegs and bags of grain as if someone picked up the room, shook it and threw it back down. It also rose onto the main floor to waist level before pulling back Monday morning. Later that day, some of the pub's 22 employees were scrubbing and pushing out mud. 

"They're here cleaning, and I don't have any way to pay them," co-owner Jen Kimmich said of her workers, overcome.