Flood Update for Montpelier

[Gwendolyn Hallsmith]

Flood watch in effect for Central Vermont 

In Montpelier:

1. Flooding in basements along the North Branch is expected on Tuesday, and low-lying parking lots may flood.  
2. Localized flooding is also possible.  
3. The catch basins and drainage systems have become saturated and the amount of flow is exceeding the capacities, or they have become restricted due to snow, ice, and other buildups.
4. DPW has been called to several areas with washouts and culvert issues.
5. With additional runoff and potentially restricted drainage ways, this could cause streams to jump their channels.

Observations and Forecasts:

1 – River levels are up close to action stage and after leveling off from this weekend’s snowmelt are starting to rise again.

2 – A serious band of thunderstorms passed through mostly north and northeast of the city around 8 AM today.

3 – Another serious band of thunderstorms is passing mostly to the south of us at this time.

4 – There will be clearing and warming after these storms pass through.

5 – Warm temperatures will provide for considerable snow melt today.

6 – Cooler temperatures the rest of the week should slow snowmelt.

7 – Another band of thunderstorms is expected to go through overnight from 11PM to 4 AM and could have heavy rain.

8 – Hydrologic forecasts have the river approaching flood stage by late tomorrow.

 

Assessment:

1 – The rain earlier this morning affected the primary watershed of the Winooski River. We should be seeing the effects of this rain starting in several hours.

2 – The impact of additional snow melt in that same area will start hitting us again in 4 to 5 hours.

3 – The current rain to our south will have much more limited impact, though the Dog River could add significant flow below the city.

4 – Rain overnight could add to flow just when current storm and snowmelt runoff are reaching the peak.

5 - Flood level (possible) at Cemetery Curve will mean cellar flooding in Montpelier.

6 – Two and a Half Feet above flood level (very unlikely) there will mean street flooding in Montpelier.

7 – We should expect on Tuesday to have cellar flooding along the North Branch and could have parking lot flooding in low areas.

For more information, visit the city web site:  http://www.montpelier-vt.org/page/399

Thanks, Gwen.
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__________________________________
Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Director
Department of Planning and Community Development
City Hall
39 Main Street
Montpelier, VT  05602
ghall...@montpelier-vt.org
802-223-9506