Flood Watch From Thursday Afternoon Through Friday

[Henry]

 A LOW PRESSURE AREA DEVELOPING ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. COAST WILL BRING ABUNDANT TROPICAL MOISTURE NORTHWARD INTO VERMONT AND NORTHERN NEW YORK ON THURSDAY...WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN EXPECTED BY THURSDAY NIGHT. MOST OF THIS RAIN WILL OCCUR IN AN 18 HOUR PERIOD ACROSS THE WATCH AREA FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT. SOME LOCALIZED HIGHER RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE.

[Chris Santee]

High Winds/Heavy Rain/Flooding Possible for Vermont
Waterbury, Vt. – The National Weather Service in Burlington is forecasting heavy rains and high winds for the next few days in most areas of Vermont.  NWS has issued a Flood Watch for the entire state and a High Wind Watch for areas of the state for Thursday and into Friday.  The public is urged to monitor radio, television, and the web for updates on conditions, or for emergency alerts.

Vermonters are advised to keep an eye out for rising waters and leave the area of floodwaters approach your location and NEVER walk or drive through flooded areas.  If there is flooding; don’t travel unless it is necessary.

Vermont Emergency Management encourages Vermonters to be prepared for these adverse conditions like any other potential problems: Build a disaster preparedness kit for the home with items like food, water, medications, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and other items you may need if you are stranded for several days.  Also come up with a plan for your family to reunite should you need to evacuate and become separated.

In high winds, get indoors and close all windows; if you’re outside look out for flying debris.  If a power line is knocked down do not touch it as it could be live and electrocute you.
 
For more information on preparing for any disaster visit the Vermont Emergency Management web site at www.vemvt.com.

At any time, the public can call 211 for emergency resource information.  211 is a service of the United Way.

Media can call the Vermont Emergency Management Public Information Office at 800-347-0488.

[Chris Santee]

VEM Morning Update - 0500
The National Weather Service has now issued a Flood Warning for Bennington County, a Flash Flood Warning for several other areas of the state, and other various advisories throughout Vermont.  See http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/ for details.

Flash flooding has caused a number of road closures, and reduced many roads to one lane.  Notable among them is Route 116 in Bristol south of the one-way bridge.  There are a number of other affected roads throughout Addison County in particular, as well as other areas of the state.  Motorists this morning and always should be reminded to always heed road closures and NEVER drive across a flooded road.
 
Route 100 near Warren also has experienced flooding.

There are currently just over 3,000 power outages statewide.

A number of trees have fallen in high winds, some across roads; again, please heed road closures and all detours.

Motorists should once again drive with caution as water could pool up on highways and cause drivers to lose control of their car.

This is all based on what has been reported to Vermont Emergency Management.  It is likely there are more problems for individual communities throughout the state.  Please remind listeners, viewers, and readers:

Never drive through floodwaters
Always respect road closures
If floodwaters approach your home or anywhere you may be, get out immediately and seek higher ground
Drive with caution in heavy rain or on low-lying roads; water pooling on roads can cause “hydroplaning” causing you to lose control of your car.
 
For more information on preparing for any disaster visit the Vermont Emergency Management web site at www.vemvt.com.  The Vermont Health Department also provides health and safety tips for before, during, and after a flood, http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/water/flood.aspx.

Please monitor radio, television, and the web for updates on conditions, or for emergency alerts.

[Chris Santee]

and just in from VSP:

Good Morning -
 
Per district 5 State of VT AOT - Route 116 in Bristol is closed due to high water over the roadway and the iron bridge - They also advise that it is closed from where Rte 116 meets with Route 17 in Bristol up through Cover Road.  For further information - you may contact the New Haven State Police Barracks at (802) 388-4919
 
Also due to the amount of water on all the roadways motorist are advised to use caution and to allow extra time for travel today.

[Chris Santee]

VEM Update – October 1, 2010 - 1230
Most of Vermont is under a Flood Warning from the National Weather.  See http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/ for details.

The Otter Creek in Center Rutland, Lamoille River in Johnson and Jeffersonville, Passumpsic River in Lyndon, Winooski River in Waterbury and Montpelier, Mad River in Moretown, and Missisquoi River in North Troy have reached or are expected to reach their flood stages at some point today.  More rivers are likely to crest as well so please keep an eye on all waterways and evacuate if floodwaters approach your location.

Flash flooding has caused a number of road closures, and reduced many roads to one lane.  Motorists are urged to respect road closures and detours, never drive across a flooded road, and avoid flooded areas if possible:

State roads that are either closed or reduced to one lane due to flooding, debris, or fallen power lines:
Route 116 in Bristol
Route 100 in Rochester
3-Mile Bridge Road in Middlebury from Route 7 to Halliday Road
The intersection of Routes 114, 122, and 5 (not closed yet but water is rising)
VT 118 in Belvidere is one lane
Meadow Road in Waitsfield
Route 125 in Ripton is partially closed
Route 128 in Westford
Call 511 for frequent updates
 
Motorists should drive with caution as water could pool up on highways and cause drivers to lose control of their cars.

Other notes on the incident:

All non-essential state employees who work in Montpelier have been sent home due to high water in the parking areas at the office areas downtown
Johnson swift water rescue has staged in that town in case flood conditions worsen
Colchester swift water rescue has deployed to Lyndonville and will standby there in case flood conditions worsen
The town of Cambridge requested and received 250 sandbags to protect homes from floodwaters (these bags were filled last weekend by the Vermont National Guard as part of the Vermont Catastrophic exercise)
 
This is all based on what has been reported to Vermont Emergency Management.  It is likely there are more problems for individual communities throughout the state.  Please remind listeners, viewers, and readers:

Never drive through floodwaters
Always respect road closures
If floodwaters approach your home, get out immediately and seek higher ground
Drive with caution in heavy rain or on low-lying roads; water pooling on roads can cause “hydroplaning” causing you to lose control of your car.
 
For more information on preparing for any disaster visit the Vermont Emergency Management web site at www.vemvt.com.  The Vermont Health Department also provides health and safety tips for before, during, and after a flood, http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/water/flood.aspx.

The public should monitor radio, television, and the web for updates on conditions, or for emergency alerts.

For road closures, call 511 or visit www.511vt.com.

At any time, the public can call 211 for community information, referrals, and resources, including shelter information should any open.  A shelter in Rutland is expected to open soon; details will be sent to the media when they are finalized.  211 is a service of the United Way.

[Chris Santee]

VEM Update – October 1, 2010 9:45 p.m.
State road closures as of 9:30 this evening include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Route 128 in Westford
Route 15 in Cambridge at Pumpkin Harbor Road
Route 109 between Hogback Road and Route 108 in Cambridge
Maidstone State Highway (Route 102 in Maidstone)

State roads have been opening and closing throughout the night, so this list may not be complete.  Please monitor www.511vt.com for updates.  This also does not include local roads, of which several are likely closed.  It is important for motorists to respect road closures and detours and never drive across a flooded roadway.

[Chris Santee]

www.511vt.com

[Chris Santee]

Flood Watch Lifted