September 8, 2011
ROCHESTER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Health Department is asking for help in identifying human remains that were exposed when part of a cemetery washed away in the town of Rochester during flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene.
The Health Department says the graves of about 30 people were disturbed when the northwest corner of the Woodlawn Cemetery was damaged by the overflowing Nason Brook. Twenty-two sets of remains have been recovered. The search for additional remains continues.
State officials are working with the Rochester Cemetery Commission to get descriptions of the deceased as well as descriptions of clothing, jewelry and other mementos.
The recovered bodies re being placed in new caskets with the help of the Vermont Funeral Directors Association and they will be re-buried at a later date.
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