Share Your Thoughts:

Flood Bound - The Uplifting Story of Pittsfield, Vt.

Share Your Thoughts:

8/31/2012

Have you seen Flood Bound ? Many of you have sent me notes and e mails or tweeted about the film. I'd love to collect some of those responses here. Leave a comment. Did the film surprise you? Inspire you? Scare you? Did it remind you of an experience you've been through? Did it get you thinking about what community means? What community should be? Please share your comments here.

Just click "Comments" below to see what people have written and share.

27 Comments

Beebe Nelson

8/31/2012 04:56:59 am

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Flood Bound with Marion last night. It is an inspiring story of how we pull together when disaster strikes. Marion, the footage you have assembled made me feel as if I was right there, like I knew all those people. Thank you -- we need to recognize those "angels of our better nature" and live by them more consistently.

Julia Andrews

8/31/2012 05:19:05 am

Watching floodbound brought me right back to the exact feeling in Vermont in the days and weeks after the storm. It's so rare to get that kind of deep, visceral feeling from watching something on TV. I think that every Vermonter should find the time to watch this film- it's a lasting reminder of how the very worst circumstances can help us find the very best in ourselves and others.

Erica Houskeeper

8/31/2012 05:40:38 am

I have to tell you -- I ended up watching Flood Bound twice. That's how much I loved it! Such a moving and powerful story!

twitter @EricaHouskeeper

Anne Dane

8/31/2012 08:52:37 am

I've seen it twice, and understood more the second time. The surprising, in fact astonishing, thing that struck me was that the people of Pittsfield, in the midst of disaster, were actually having FUN when they got together for a barbecue or school or a meeting. Even those hardest hit seemed to enjoy themselves. Not being alone can make all the difference.

Barb Wood

8/31/2012 11:23:04 am

I have lived it, looked at the photos A LOT and realized that watching Floodbound put it all in a whole new light. I cried all three times I watched it. I am so lucky to live in a town full of amazing people who put neighbors and even strangers ahead of themselves. Marion: this was masterful and very well done. I am honored to have so many photos in the story and to have been a part of the project. Thank YOU!

Tiki Pauley Mc Mahan link

9/1/2012 02:35:21 am

When I was on the 2nds floor and watched the water go over the roofs of houses in front of me and take my bbq, deck furniture, car and all my momentos etc away and I thought that my building would calapse under me. My 2 neighbors went through the water and put a ladder up to get me and put a vest around me and a cable and one person on each side of me brought me through the water and up the hill. I must have went into shock because I did not feel the rocks hiting us. Received many bruises and the smell was like a septic tank and the bugs were attachkng everyone. A helecopter went to the Tyson Church and local people delivered food and people came from everywhere to help. Farm and wilderness camp in Plymouth sent 9 people to help the next week and friends drove from CT to help. It was so amazing. I learned alot about what Vermont is all about. When I saw your movie it brought back a lot of bad memories but with the towns people helping everyone it made me think of the goodness in everyone and the generousity of so many people and the work that everyone did. It was an experience of a life time and I was so lucky to know such amazing people. Thank you for your movie.

Howard Gunter, Pastor Pittsfield Federated Church

9/1/2012 11:49:44 am

Watch "Flood Bound" to truly see the magnitude and full picture of what Irene brought to us here in Pittsfield. ... People are ordering it from all over the globe. It is that good. When I go to Rutland, people I don't even know ask me where they can get a copy. This morning at the dry cleaners in Rutland, the owner came out and was almost in tears as he expressed how captivating this documentary is. The amazement is as much about the "community" and "united" bonding among residents as it is about the magnitude of this horrific storm and ensuing floods.

Sandra Erickson link

9/2/2012 01:17:03 am

I've watched "Flood Bound" twice, now, and am so appreciative of the uplifting effect it has had on me. Indeed: if the rest of the world would follow the example set in Pittsfield during this life altering event, the world would be a significantly better place for everyone. It will be interesting to see if the strong bonds and community spirit continues to flourish among residents as we move farther from that point of change. I'm betting on Pittsfield. And the great success of this film.

Pamela Powers Rodenhizer

9/2/2012 10:30:41 am

I just watched Flood Bound. Wow. From the cover of the DVD to the end quote - amazing, impactful and heart-wrenching. I cried (stills of the white house going down and the elder dog being rescued), and laughed (curfew announcement and "drink your Ben and Jerry's"), and was just riveted to the screen. What a beautiful town, inside and out. Thank you for sharing the experience in your documentary.

Rochelle "Rocky" Mockus

9/5/2012 12:54:24 am

I loved the whole movie. It was so well put together and so moving that I had to have a copy. We live in Gaysville and had no way to travel for a few days and did not know that all this was going on not far from us. I especially loved the comments by the children. They were handling everything very well, loved their town, and saw how adults acted in times of trouble. What a wonderful example to the children. I wish that WCAXTV would put together a film of other areas. They did a good job of traveling around showing us the damage. They even did a tour of Gaysville/Stockbridge. I have stills of the area but would like a film of the areas they filmed. Thank you for a job well done!

carol geise

9/5/2012 04:21:18 am

I purchased 2 copies of the dvd floodbound over a week ago and have not received my copy. I had a copy shipped to my employer Chris out in Austin, Texas. Just curious if mine has been shipped and if so was it shipped via usps or ups or fed ex? We live in South Reading and have a Proctorsville zip code, that is where our post office is. Just need to know if it's been sent back to you. Thank you so much, Carol ps. I am looking forward to the dvd.

Marion Abrams link

9/5/2012 04:52:20 am

Hi Carol-

I have your two orders. The good news, I have sold more copies than anticipated. The bad news, it will take a few weeks for me to have more DVDs on hand. I thought I had sent a notice to everyone who ordered a copy, somehow I missed you. I apologize for the delay.

Thank you for your “Flood Bound” order, and thank you for supporting “Flood Bound” and independent filmmaking in Vermont.

Sincerely,

Marion

Heather

9/14/2012 06:53:49 am

Marion, words cannot describe how well you captured what we went thru last August. "Flood bound" is so important because it reminds us of just how strong a community can be in the face of such a disaster. I am proud to be a part of this film and I am even prouder to call you my friend!

Gill Gane

9/21/2012 11:12:33 pm

A gathering of women watched Flood Bound at my house last night. We were all bowled over by it--it was a wonderful, inspirational, uplifting experience.

Alex Dohan

9/26/2012 04:02:42 am

Great job, Marion - so good to see what can happen when it needs to! We had a similar experience (though less devastation) last October with a freak snowstorm & no power for 4 days - at least we had roads after the first day...
Thanks again for making the movie!

Gennifer Sussman

10/4/2012 12:40:28 pm

Marion: I'm a resident of Brattleboro, so had some firsthand experience of the flood though my home was not affected. I think your film is remarkable and that people in my area would like to see it. I hope that can be arranged. Thank you for making this record of your community's remarkable response to a very difficult situation. I saw your film with Gill, Anne and others am so glad I had the opportunity.

Mae Jean Mason

11/8/2012 12:22:13 am

Hello, Marion. My sister who lives in NH told me about "Flood Bound" a while back after watching it on a PBS channel. I ordered and received the DVD a couple of weeks ago. It is an amazing story and very inspiring. I have shown it to 8 other people so far. Here in MI we could face various natural and/or man-made disasters that would put us to the test as well. My goal is to be as prepared as I can be as an individual and to foster closer relationships with my neighbors in this rural community so we will be in a better position to help each other when a crisis occurs. Thank you for telling Pittfield's story!

Debbie Sulham

12/28/2012 12:29:15 am

Marion did a fantastic job on this film. Growing up in Stockbridge and having relatives in Pittsfield, I know the area well. To see my Uncle's house (Frank Sulham) in some of the footage and seeing the destruction across the street from him gives me the chills. Pittsfield has a ton of great people, some that I am grateful to have known my whole life and I am not surprised that everyone came together and worked together to get through this tough time. That's what living in a small town is all about. Thanks for the great movie!

Hillary White

2/27/2013 12:08:56 am

Terrific movie - very compelling. For all of us who have Macs without DVD slots and who stream movies is there an option for streaming on iTunes or YouTube or somewhere else? I wanted to gift this to my daughters.

marion link

3/1/2013 11:07:09 am

Hillary-
I haven't found a way to share the film other than DVD yet, but send me an e mail and I will look into options...

Thanks so much.
Marion

Jeanne Winner

3/24/2013 01:19:21 pm

Flood Bound is a fascinating, gripping movie. The people in this small beautiful Vermont town seem to take over the movie as they talk about what they did and what they felt when a hurricane flooded their town. It is wonderful how they helped each other, but just as wonderful is how it is all conveyed. As people speak, - and they are very different people responding in different ways - you feel their courage, their fear, and their astonishment at what was happening to them. It is one fascinating conversation and a stirring portrait of a town’s response to trouble. The movie is quiet and its genuine sympathetic feel holds you to the end. At the end, you can feel the pleasure in the town that they could rise to the occasion and take care of each other.

LED Light Distributor link

7/21/2013 11:04:41 pm

Excellent article, quite interesting info. I came across your website on Google. I am going to recommend it to our close friends.

Donna Martinez

9/12/2013 04:40:45 am

Great presentation of the events in Pittsfield caused by Irene. My sister and her family were directly affected and involved in the Flood Bound story. I think often of how hard it was to contact the Bordens and I see you're all really a great community. How fortunate you all are to have each other. As I read this, Colorado National Guard is being called out to assist with wet weather today, the 12th of September, here in Colorado... good read.

Uli Knirsch link

8/16/2014 08:31:02 pm

Hi,

we recently drove through Vermont. In the midst of darkness found the Trailside Inn for a stopover but stayed longer. Right before leaving I found a mention of this movie. I footage online looks very interesting, particularly because I work on international flood relief. Since I live in Germany, is there any chance to see the video online? Would be glad to donate of course!

Regards, Uli

Marion link

8/16/2014 09:51:02 pm

Hi Uli-

Thank you! I have not posted the film online yet, but have had a few requests and will look into it.

Marion Abrams link

8/16/2014 09:51:29 pm

Hi Uli-

Thank you! I have not posted the film online yet, but have had a few requests and will look into it.

Uli Knirsch link

8/20/2014 06:40:13 am

That'd be great. Would be happy to donate of course.

Greetings from Germany, Uli

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