Flood watch in effect for Vt. Sunday-Monday
March 15, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout This post was updated on Sunday night, March 16, at 9:20 p.m. The current river forecasts call for the Mad River at Moretown to peak around 2 a.m. at a moderate flood level and the Winooski at Waterbury to hit its peak at 8 a.m. at a minor level.
The U.S. National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a flood watch for Northern and Central Vermont for Sunday, March 16, into Monday evening, March 17.
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Flooding is possible due to incoming rain combined with snowmelt due to mild temperatures and possible ice jams on rivers and streams. Local residents are urged to follow the latest forecasts from the weather service here.
Sunday night rainstorms will come with strong winds with gusts up to 40 m.p.h. that could bring down trees and power lines.
Sunday night in Waterbury: The winter parking ban has been suspended should people in low-lying areas want to move vehicles to safer spots in town parking lots and along streets.
To receive direct alerts from Waterbury town officials, sign up for the Text Alert system. Instructions are on the town website here to register for those messages.
This week, March 9-15, has been National Flood Safety Awareness Week. The weather service reminds the public that a flood watch alert means flooding is possible; a flood warning means it is imminent or in progress.
In anticipation of deteriorating road conditions on many area gravel roads, the Harwood Unified Union School District on Friday announced its schedule for modified school bus routes for Monday morning student pickup. Find that schedule here.
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From the National Weather Service on Saturday:
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is possible.
* WHERE...All of northern New York and all of northern and central
Vermont.
* WHEN...From Sunday morning through Monday evening.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
River ice movement is likely, which may result in isolated ice
jams and associated flooding.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Runoff from snowmelt due to warm temperatures will combine
with widespread rainfall will produce sharp rises on area
rivers and streams. Flooding is possible, both of larger
mainstem rivers and smaller, fast-responding mountain
streams. In addition, river ice movement is likely, which may
result in isolated ice jams and associated flooding.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop. River level forecasts from NOAA are also online for the Winooski River at Waterbury and the Mad River at Moretown.