HURRICANE IRENE UPDATE 6
Nick Daniels
August 28, 2011
William J. Fraser, City Manager
9:00 PM
Things are progressing almost exactly as predicted at 5:30. The National Weather Service continues to project cresting of 20 feet by 2 AM. This will put water over all downtown streets although it is difficult to project exactly how deep it will get.
Flooding is apparent in many areas throughout downtown. Right now the flooding pattern is very similar to the May flood. State Street is closed from Taylor Street on. The Bailey Avenue bridge is completely blocked by water on both sides. Montpelier High School is inaccessible. 60 State Street parking lot is full of water. Elm Street is closed between State and Spring and under a lot of water. The Dog River Recreation Field is completely submerged. The river level is still rising.
Rain has eased up, winds are expected to increase. There have been no power outages reported and the wastewater treatment plant has continued to function properly.
Flood water is not safe. Do not walk, wade, swim or otherwise go into the water. It is filled with contaminents, silt and other unhealthy substances. I just came back from touring the city and was taken aback by how many people, included young people accompanied by parents, were walking in the flood waters. It is dangerous. Stay out.
Similarly, roads are barricaded for safety reasons. I observed many drivers going around barricades simply because they either wanted to look more closely or go somewhere that was closed off. These roads are closed for your protection. We do not wish to use police resources enforcing this but will if necessary.