Rivers across the state are high and rising with a combination of snow melt and rain contributing to a surge, which officials say is likely to lead to flooding.
Update April 16th 6:30 a.m. The National Weather Service says that most rivers around Vermont should drop below flood stage today. But this morning, the freezing temperatures mean that many roadways are slippery. Crews are out, but Vermont Emergency Management is asking drivers to slow down on the roads and be mindful of conditions.
Two schools are closed: Lowell Graded School and Fairfield Center School.
A number of state and local roadways are closed due to flooding.
One driver was rescued from a flooded road in Montgomery yesterday afternoon. Emergency officials responding to a report of a woman in a truck stuck in rising flood waters on Longley Bridge Road were slowed by flooding and heavy mud on back roads. Both an ambulance and a fire struck were stuck in the heavy mud during the rescue attempt.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Corporal McKenney and nearby resident, Stanley Longley used a tractor to drive into the flood to rescue the woman, as the truck was in danger of being swept away. McKenney had to break the window of the truck to pull the woman out. McKenney and a member of Enosburg Rescue helped get the woman onto the tractor. Longley drove the tractor out of the floodwaters. The woman was not seriously injured.
Vermont State Police are reminding people to never drive on flooded road ways.
Update April 15 11:55 p.m. The Vermont Agency of Transportation reports that there is ice on roadways in the Burlington area.
Roads getting slick in NW #VT. Reports of cars off in Richmond #BTV area. http://t.co/50kEgkFvLh
— 511VT (@511VT) April 16, 2014
Update April 15 11:20 p.m. The National Weather Service in Albany has issued an advisory that upstate New York and southwestern Vermont may experience one to three inches of snow as well as black ice Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in valleys and up to five inches in the Adirondacks. The NWS advised anyone traveling to allow extra time, as there may be ice on the road surface.
Update April 15 4:15 p.m. Gov. Peter Shumlin scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Vermont Emergency Operations Center in Waterbury. The Agency of Transportation has announced multiple road closures, mapped below.
Update April 15 2:15 p.m. The Vermont State Police say Route 15 will be closed due to flooding at the wrong way bridge in Cambridge.
Rt 15 will be closed due to flooding at the wrong way bridge in Cambridge.
— Vermont State Police (@VTStatePolice) April 15, 2014
Original Post April 15 2:06 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for eight Vermont counties "until further notice."
Commuters who cross the bridge between Winooski and Burlington are daily witness to a stunning sign of spring: the massive Winooski River. Swelled with snowmelt, the river rounds a bend from the Interstate 89 overpass, and swings toward Winooski, giving pedestrians along the Winooski Riverwalk an expansive view of the water roiling over the submerged rocks there.
Officials warn Vermonters to “stay away from flood waters and move to higher ground if you are threatened by flooding or are directed by emergency officials.” Wednesday's flood warnings apply to the following counties:
- Addison County
- Chittenden County
- Franklin County
- Lamoille County
- Orange County
- Rutland County
The National Weather Service also says that Tuesday’s rain will change to snow from west to east across northern New York and Vermont late Tuesday and into the night.
The city of Montpelier warned residents and businesses along the North Branch of the Winooski River that flooding is likely Tuesday or Wednesday, as the river is already high in that area. Residents and businesses near the river are advised to get valuable items out of their basements.
Go to this page to keep track of the latest Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages issued across the state.
Have you seen flooding where you are? If you can safely take a photo, send it to us at news@vpr.net and let us know where it was taken.
Road closures and warnings across the state (click a pin for more information, green pins represent re-opened roads):
Updated April 16 11:40 a.m. to revise list of counties with flood warnings.
Updated April 15 2:56 p.m. to add Caledonia and Orange Counties. Also extended flood warning to "until further notice."
