Flood update | July 31: Flash flood watch in effect today
July 31, 2024 | By Lisa ScagliottiU.S. National Weather Service Burlington graphic
More storms are headed to Vermont today and the National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a flood watch for much of the state including Washington County from noon through tonight.
Today’s concern is for widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms that could cause flash flooding. This comes after historic rainfall hit parts of the Northeast Kingdom on Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
Local residents are reminded to pay attention to weather forecasts, particularly if the flood watch is upgraded to a flood warning.
Multiple thunderstorms and downpours may result in excessive runoff filling rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the weather service notes.
“Isolated landslides are also possible in areas of hilly terrain that have seen recent heavy rainfall,” the bulletin states. “In isolated locations that have seen recent heavy rainfall, little [additional] rainfall is needed to produce flooding.”
Sign up for Vermont Alert emergency phone, email and/or text messages online at vem.vermont.gov/vtalert.
The public is reminded to be alert if traveling during storms and to not drive through flooded areas where you cannot see the roadway.
NEK needs volunteers
Local volunteers working on the flood response and cleanup in and around Waterbury do not have any shifts scheduled for today or Thursday. Coordinator Liz Schlegel said the online signup will be updated with shifts planned for Friday and the weekend. Find that on the CReW website here.
In the meantime, if any local residents have time and can travel a bit, CReW organizers direct them to the Northeast Kingdom which is in great need of volunteers after Monday night’s catastrophic storm that dumped up to 8 inches of rain in St. Johnsbury and other nearby communities. Volunteer labor, canvassers, supplies, etc. are needed for the immediate response there.
A signup with volunteer shifts through Aug. 11 is already online from Northeast Kingdom Organizing. Volunteer shifts are currently posted through 8/11. CReW leaders encourage local residents to lend a hand if they can.
Harwood XC Fun Run rescheduled
The quest for Harwood’s Cross Country team to hold its Wednesday summer Fun Runs continues. So far just one has been held on its regularly scheduled date due to the regular midweek storms.
Likewise for today. Assistant Coach Tom Cahalan says this week’s run has been moved to Thursday, Aug. 1. Registration opens at 6 p.m. Runs begin at 6:30 p.m. with the youngest runners. Location is Crossett Brook Middle School.
More from last week’s run is posted in Sports.
Select board approves request for block party
Plans for an Aug. 10 flood relief block party got a green light from the Waterbury Select Board on Monday. Organizer and sponsor Nathan Dunbar, owner of the Vermont Beer Collective shop on Elm Street submitted the event permit request.
They’re calling it “Hell or High Water” and plans are coming together to hold it on Elm Street from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. Rain date (a must-have this summer) is Aug. 11. The celebration a month after the July 10 floor aims to invite the public to downtown and raise funds for flood recovery efforts.
The Select Board approved closing Elm Street for the event which will also use the municipal parking lot adjacent to the Pro Pig Brewery. More details will be forthcoming.
Efficiency Vermont webinar on flood aftermath
The folks at Efficiency Vermont will host an online webinar at noon on Aug. 7 for those managing after recent flood damage to their homes.
Anyone in the process of drying out, cleaning up and planning repairs is invited to join. Efficiency Vermont will have engineering experts available to answer questions and offer information on the topic of addressing moisture and making homes more resilient to future floods and extreme weather.
Learn about current offers for rebates around upgrading household appliances and equipment.
Register at this link to join. If you cannot watch live, the session will be recorded and everyone signed up will receive an email with a link to view the recording afterward.