December flood in photos | Dec. 18-19
December 23, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Traffic persisted as floodwaters rose on Monday in downtown Waterbury. Photo by Gordon Miller
Monday, Dec. 18, was the fourth consecutive Monday that brought stormy weather. This would be one for the record books, however, as intense rain combined with snowmelt resulted in the second major flooding event to hit Central Vermont and Waterbury this year.
Below are photos from the day, Monday night, Tuesday, and later in the week around town. Most by Waterbury Roundabout photographer Gordon Miller.
Click to enlarge the images.
Monday afternoon as water fills North Main Street near Dac Rowe Park. Photo by Gordon Miller
Daytime Monday, Dec. 18
Dac Rowe Park’s driveway is under water. Photo by Sarah Milligan
Monday evening, Dec. 18
Late Monday, the roundabout is closed and underwater with two abandoned vehicles submerged. Photo by Gordon Miller
The Winooski River crested around 9 p.m. with its highest gauge reading at 424.39 feet. Flood stage is 419 feet. Water in streets slowly began to recede as midnight approached. Vehicles stuck in deep water on North Main Street would wait until morning to be towed. Click to enlarge photos and read captions.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
As daylight broke Tuesday, once again mud and debris cover large swaths of downtown Waterbury. Photographer Gordon Miller was out before sunrise. Click to enlarge and see captions.
Around the Waterbury reservoir (click to enlarge images)
Floodgates were closed during Monday’s storm, but by the end of the week, state officials overseeing the Waterbury dam said they were reopening gates to lower the reservoir levels as nearby rivers returned to more normal depths.
The parking area near the boat launch at the Waterbury Dam is well under water. Photos by Gordon Miller
By Thursday, remaining standing water at Dac Rowe Park freezes (above). Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
On Friday, Judi Byron at the Waterbury Public Library captured this scene below of a family enjoying the surprise ice rink.