ONGOING UPDATES: Flooding alert issued for flood anniversary, Weds. July 10
July 9, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti This post will be updated with new information as it becomes available throughout the day and evening today. Scroll down for a list of cancellations. Email us if you know of more. waterburyroundabout@gmail.com or add a comment at the bottom of this post. Thank you!
6:30 p.m. Update: Flash flood warning through MIDNIGHT from the National Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a Flash Flood Warning that includes Waterbury through MIDNIGHT. Read more here.
4:30 p.m. Update - Tips from emergency management officials
Afternoon forecasts show a shift to the north for the storm but weather radar still shows bands of heavy rain headed towards Central Vermont from New York state. Guidance from Vermont Emergency Managment is to remain vigilant and watchful where you are.
The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated here in Waterbury at the state complex.
Vermont’s Urban Search and Rescue teams and Vermont National Guard are staging ahead of the storm in areas of likely impact. A National Guard team is headed to Waterbury where it will be stationed overnight and may move with the storm if needed.
If you must go out, avoid areas of flooding; if floodwaters approach your location, leave immediately over high ground. Respect all road detours and never walk or drive through floodwaters.
Other links
Register for Vermont Alert for up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts.
Tips from Waterbury’s long-term flood recovery group CReW which is also Waterbury’s flood-response group.
Noon update: River forecast revised upward for Thurs.; tornado watch through 9 p.m.
The 11:21 a.m. river forecast shows likely flooding into the fields between the Winooski River and the State Office Complex and nearby neighborhoods by 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
At 12:15 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for 12 of Vermont’s 14 counties including Washington County through 9 p.m. Find that alert here. The weather service also has a Flood Watch alert at the same link and it encompasses Washington County.
11 a.m. update | Town officials discuss storm at morning meeting
The Waterbury Select Board met at 10 a.m. today and discussed the stormy weather forecast.
They took some comfort in the current NOAA river forecast for the Winooski River that shows the river cresting around 8 a.m. Thursday at just shy of what’s considered “action” level where low-lying field flooding is possible. That forecast is expected to be updated some time today.
Town Manager Tom Leitz noted in a post on Facebook that the community should remain vigilant. “Last year the forecast for the Winooski was several feet below what we experienced,” he said.
They reviewed weather forecast information calling for 2-3 inches of rain with the potential for areas of heavier rainfall up to 5 inches through Thursday morning.
Key items for the community to know:
Anyone who needs assistance preparing for possible flooding may contact CReW via email at outreach@thecrewvt.org or phone 802-585-1152 (leave a message).
Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief Gary Dillon said a swift water rescue team will be stationed at the Main Street firehouse overnight tonight as part of a state coordination of such personnel to deploy around the region if needed.
Public Works Director Bill Woodruff reported that his staff has checked on storm drains and culverts around town to ensure they are clear ahead of the storm.
Sandbags are available from the town if any businesses or residents would like them free of charge. Contact Woodruff at 802-839-6199 to arrange for pickup.
Town officials will post additional updates on the Town of Waterbury, Vermont Facebook page.
8 a.m. update: Added to the cancellation list below.
Original post: Flooding alert issued for flood anniversary, Weds. July 10
Community leaders and volunteers working on flood recovery for the past year prepared to mark the anniversary of the July 10, 2023 flood this week just as warnings of an approaching storm with heavy rains and threats of flooding demanded attention and vigilance headed into Wednesday and Thursday.
July 10, 2023: The Thatcher Brook roars behind the former grist mill on Stowe Street. File photo by Gordon Miller
The storm involves the remnants of hurricane Beryl that made U.S. landfall on the Texas gulf coast at the start of the week and is making its way northeastward. The now-tropical depression is expected to meet up against a cold front in Canada north of Vermont with heavy bands of rain expected to blanket northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, extending into Maine from mid-morning Wednesday until Thursday, according to U.S. National Weather Service forecasters.
A flood watch has been issued for much of Vermont and Northern New York with the caution that flash flooding is expected in areas of particularly heavy rainfall. As of late Tuesday evening, river forecasts including that for the Winooski River did not predict river flooding. The forecast called for the river to peak on Thursday morning just shy of “action level” although revisions to the forecast are likely on Wednesday and Thursday based on conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, “rounds of showers and thunderstorms capable of high rainfall rates are expected” with the heaviest period from 11 a.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. Rainfall of 2 to 3 inches is expected across the region with areas of up to 5-6 inches possible as well. As of Tuesday night, forecasters were still unclear on the exact path of the highest rain levels expected.
Flash flooding is likely in areas with heavy runoff, streams, and low-lying areas, locations with poor drainage and urban areas, the forecast explains. Storm drains and ditches may contribute to flash floods if they become clogged with debris.
July 10 2023: North Main Street eventually was closed as water filled the street across to the roundabout. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Some local developments to note:
The Waterbury Select Board already planned to hold a brief special meeting on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. to review and approve several alcohol permit applications including several associated with this weekend’s Waterbury Arts Fest event scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Town Manager Tom Leitz on Tuesday said the board would also review the weather forecast and discuss storm preparations. The meeting will be held in person in the Steele Community Room at the municipal offices and also will be available for the public to join via Zoom. (Link is in the agenda.)
In Duxbury, town officials said they would monitor road conditions and issue messages to the community via their email list as needed. Town Clerk Maureen Harvey said Ian Stewart is the town’s newly appointed emergency management coordinator who has been recently working to rekindle a system of zone captains in various neighborhoods in town. He may relay messages through those volunteers as needed, she said.
At noon, Waterbury churches and residents are asked to pause at noon to ring bells as a gesture of remembrance to mark the one-year anniversary of the July 10, 2023 flood that was the largest flood event the community has endured since Tropical Storm Irene’s devastation in August 2011. The Winooski River, Thatcher Brook and other smaller streams spilled out of their banks in the 2023 July storm. Downtown neighborhoods and businesses along Main Street, Elm Street, Randall and Union Streets were flooded as well as homes along U.S. Route 2 west of downtown. Some local roads sustained significant damage including Winooski Street and River Road in Duxbury.
On Tuesday night, the leaders of the long-term flood-recovery group CReW (Community resilience for the greater Waterbury area) sent out a message to the community that acknowledged the July 2023 flood anniversary but focused more so on the immediate future given the weather forecast. That message is printed below in full.
Cancellations
Harwood XC Fun Run: The Harwood Union Cross Country team’s Summer Fun Run scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday was called off. The runs will resume next week on Wednesday, July 17, on the trails at Harwood Union High School, according to Assistant Coach Tom Cahalan. See more about the Fun Runs in Sports.
Floodgates Art Project 2.0 workshop: The workshop for the Floodgates Art Project scheduled for 3-5 p.m. at the Waterbury Area Senior Center has been cancelled for today. It will be rescheduled. Community members can work on entries at Waterbury Arts Fest on Saturday. See more about the “What’s on your plate?” project here.
Waterbury Recreation this morning announced that adult tennis lessons and swim lessons for today are cancelled. Families with children in rec camp will receive communications via email regarding any schedule changes. Recreation Director Katarina Lisaius said no changes are planned for camp schedule Thursday. Should that change, parents would receive an email communication.
Waterbury Public Library is closing at 6:30 p.m. tonight due to the storm.
July 10, 2023: Water in the Winooski River nearly reaches the bridge as seen from the Duxbury side. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti
To the community from CReW
(Below is the message in full to the community from CReW.)
Hello neighbors,
Here we are, at the anniversary of last year’s July floods, and we are facing storms and heavy rains again. For our flood remembrance, we have asked churches and neighbors to ring bells at noon - to make noise, step outside of our doors, wave and acknowledge our neighbors. We’re still doing that! But now we have to be ready for more water.
We want you to know that the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rains for northern Vermont on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Winooski peaking on Thursday morning. There is definitely concern about potential flash flooding and increased ground saturation. A flood watch has been issued for Wednesday/Thursday for much of Vermont.
As of Tuesday evening, this is what’s expected:
Tomorrow—July 10
Rain to begin mid to late morning
Will intensify tomorrow afternoon and become heavier
Thunderstorms are possible
Major concern is for flash flooding (rather than river flooding)
Rainfall of 3-5” possible, may be higher in pockets
Thursday—July 11
More rain expected, including thunderstorms and possibly high winds
The Waterbury Town Manager and Select Board are monitoring the situation closely – please check the Town’s Facebook page or website for critical updates. If you’re in a nearby town, do the same – check your town’s website or Facebook page for updates.
Be prepared and make a plan:
We would like to recommend that if you are concerned about water in your basement, you remove any valuable items you may have placed there – ask friends to help!
If you are unable to do this for yourself, let us know – the Waterbury CReW may be able to recruit volunteers to help you. If you need help moving things, please email us or call and leave a message at 802-585-1152.
Pack a GO Bag in case you need to leave in a hurry! Make plans for your pets and move your car to higher ground.
Please make a good effort to protect yourself and your belongings, keep an eye on the river level, and take good care of yourself.
We will be in touch if conditions change. We are supporting each other as neighbors – and we will stay Vermont Strong.
Be safe,
Bill Shepeluk, Liz Schlegel, Nora Miller, Mame McKee & the rest of The Waterbury CReW
July 10, 2023: Looking across Dac Rowe Park to Main Street. File photo by Gordon Miller