FLOOD WATCH | Dec. 11
December 11, 2024 | By Waterbury RoundaboutMuch of Vermont including Waterbury and nearby communities in Central Vermont is bracing for heavy rains today that, combined with snowmelt, bring the possibility of flooding.
Public officials urge community members to keep an eye on the weather and river forecasts from the National Weather Service in Burlington.
There currently is a flood watch in effect for all of Vermont except for Grand Isle County from 1 p.m. today through 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
The Winooski River forecast for Waterbury predicts a peak level at 1 a.m. Thursday at a minor flooding level that would impact low-lying areas in Waterbury such as Dac Rowe Park, Farr’s Field and the cornfield near the State Office Complex. These forecasts have some variability based on recent experiences in 2023 and earlier this year when actual river levels exceeded the forecasts and more severe flooding took place. River levels are recorded hourly on the NOAA website.
Those in flood-prone areas are advised to be vigilant. Flash flooding from runoff and snowmelt is also a concern in higher elevations.
Gov. Phil Scott’s regular weekly press conference will be at noon. Vermont Emergency Management will share information at this. Watch online on his Facebook page or or ORCA Media. Listen on WDEV.
For those on Facebook, be sure to follow the Town of Waterbury, Vermont’s page there as well as The CReW’s page, Community Resilience for the Waterbury Area.
This post will be updated throughout the day with new information as we receive it.
12:30 p.m. VT Emergency Management: Less rain in revised forecast
Speaking at Gov. Phil Scott’s midday press conference, Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand shared some details from an updated National Weather Service forecast that is now calling for less rain overnight than originally expected.
Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand at today’s press conference. Screenshot
Total rainfall amounts predicted now range from 0.75 inches to 1.75 inches; earlier amounts were up to 2 inches or more, Forand said. In addition, the amount of water expected to come from snowmelt has also been reduced, he said.
“The rain will change back to snow – midnight tonight – around the same time that the rivers will crest,” he said. “In general, it appears there is much less [water] than last December’s storm.”
Forand was referring to flooding around Vermont including Waterbury and nearby communities last December 17-18. The region has seen three major flood events in the past year and a half – July 2023 and 2024, and December 2023.
Despite the slightly improved forecast, the Flood Watch remains in effect today through 7 a.m. Thursday, Forand noted.
The state has its three swift water rescue teams as well as 13 other mutual aid teams on standby through tomorrow morning should they be needed, Forand said.
Multiple rivers are expected to reach varying flood stages. The Mad River at Moretown and the Winooski River in Waterbury and Essex Junction are still being forecast to reach the minor flood stage around 1 a.m. The latest forecast for the Winooski in Waterbury was updated at 11:30 a.m. and it was reduced to 418.9 feet for 1 a.m. Thursday, down slightly from the earlier forecast of 419 feet.
“We’re not envisioning much beyond nuisance flooding at this point, but we are ready to respond if necessary,” Forand concluded.
Those in flood-prone areas remain advised to be alert, have belongings ready should they need to evacuate, and to sign up for VTAlert messages on the Vermont Emergency Management website.
Noon – Sandbags
Some 200 sandbags from the town will be available in the Randall/Elm Street neighborhood and on Rt. 2 at the vacant lot where debris dumpsters were located after the July flood. (Former Cider House restaurant site.)
Volunteers able to help fill more can assist at the town highway garage on Guptil Road at the sand pile this afternoon. Town staff have left shovels and bags at the sand pile for people to fill their own as well.
In addition, the ReStore on South Main Street next to Subway has some sandbags that local residents may have. The store closes at 5:30 p.m.
Town Manager Tom Leitz is available at 802-999-6450 for any questions or concerns.
11:45 a.m. – Common Market is closed today
11:20 a.m. - Emergency Waterbury Select Board meeting
The Waterbury Select Board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the Steele Community Room and online via Zoom. The only agenda item is flood preparations.
Click here for the agenda with the Zoom link.
10 a.m. – Sign up for new local text-alert system
Sign up with a text message. Learn more here
The Town of Waterbury just recently set up a new text messaging system to both send alerts to subscribers and for people to communicate messages to local officials. Town Manager Tom Leitz said the plan was to introduce the system in January but that has been moved up to today given the flood watch.
It’s called TextMyGov and details are on the town website here.
To join the system, just text the word “Waterbury” to the number 91896. Follow the prompts you receive to confirm your sign-up.
If you decide to opt out, simply text STOP to a message you receive.
The first alert will be sent today from 91896.
Leitz said those on the system will receive notifications for flooding or other weather events. Additional information will be shared soon, including how to send information to the town using the system.
For Duxbury residents: The Town of Duxbury has an email notification system for important alerts. Sign up on the town website here to subscribe to get communications from town officials.
5:20 a.m. – Schools closed
Schools in the Harwood Unified Union School District are closed today.