Heroic Café Owner Saves Cats During Vermont Flooding

Alexis Dexter, the owner of Kitty Korner Café in Barre, Vermont, refused to abandon her business and its furry residents during the recent extreme rainstorm that caused widespread flooding in the area. As the floodwaters threatened to engulf her café and endanger the lives of over 50 shelter cats, Dexter made a courageous decision to stay behind and ensure their safety.

Source: ABC News/YouTube

The rainstorm, which led to overflowing creeks and rivers, placed immense strain on the Wrightsville Dam. Soon, Barre’s Main Street, usually a bustling hub, found itself submerged in water. While officials ordered evacuations for businesses and residents within the flood zone, Kitty Korner Café lay just outside those boundaries.

As the water levels rose at an alarming rate on Monday afternoon, Dexter found herself facing a race against time. Swift action was required to protect the frightened cats trapped within the café. Determined to keep them safe, she relocated the cats to higher ground within the store, but it soon became evident that more drastic measures were necessary.

With the water steadily encroaching upon the café’s interior, Dexter resorted to unconventional means to avert disaster. Armed with a screwdriver and a hammer, she painstakingly chiseled a hole into the café’s floor, allowing the water to drain into the basement. Her resourcefulness and quick thinking were crucial in buying the cats valuable time.

By the early hours of Tuesday morning, the water in the basement reached a critical level, triggering the fire alarm within the building. With each passing hour, the floodwaters threatened to consume the entire establishment, reaching the second step at the top of the stairs by late Tuesday morning.

Fortunately, as Tuesday afternoon came, the situation began to improve. The receding waters brought a glimmer of hope, allowing power to be restored and the café’s sump pumps to be operational again. While the cats had been saved from the possibility of drowning, the basement suffered considerable damage. Dexter lamented the loss of numerous supplies and equipment, including a new washer and dryer. The future of the basement remains uncertain, leaving the café’s owner with many concerns.

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