A number of Vermont rivers are near their banks and are likely to flood areas from Tuesday into Wednesday night or later. The entire state of Vermont is under a Flood Watch and National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for a number of river basins. A Flood Warning means flooding is already taking place or is imminent. NWS says flooding will be "minor" to "moderate" meaning:
- Water will overflow riverbanks and cause extensive field flooding
- Basement and other flooding of homes/businesses in flood plains is possible
- Several/numerous roads in flood plains could be flooded.
The Vermont state Emergency Operations Center is open to a partial activation with VT DEMHS staff and will fully activate with other state personnel at 7:00 Tuesday night - or earlier if there is a need. Communities that need assistance or resources should call VT DEMHS.
The public is encouraged to monitor rivers and streams and get to high ground if water approaches. If you do evacuate your home, turn off the circuit breaker and have a professional inspect your electrical system before you return. Plan an evacuation route and destination now that takes you over high ground. If possible, move items that can be swept away or damaged by floodwaters like lawn furniture or mowers to higher ground.
Never walk through floodwaters and never drive across a flooded road as currents can be strong and roads could be washed out under the water.
The public can receive weather updates through VT Alert. You can sign up for a free account at http://vtalert.gov and click on the link on the left.
Weather forecasts:
Flood gauges: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=btv
National Weather Service Albany (Forecast office for Bennington and Windham counties): http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/
National Weather Service Burlington (Rest of Vermont): http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/
Road conditions: www.511vt.comhttp://www.511vt.com>
Social media:
VT DEMHS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement
VT DEMHS on Twitter: @vemvt ... https://twitter.com/vemvt
Vermont 511 on Twitter: @511vt ... https://twitter.com/511VT
VTrans on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VTrans/143848835653728
Vermont State Police on Twitter: @VTStatePolice ... https://twitter.com/VTStatePolice
Vermont State Police on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice
NWS Burlington: https://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Burlington.gov on Facebook or @NWSBurlington on Twitter
NWS Albany: https://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Albany.gov on Facebook or @NWSAlbany on Twitter
Personal resource needs: 2-1-1
Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security 4.15.2014. Photo: Dorset Street in South Burlington, by Tricia Sulva, Vermont Business Magazine.