Vermont Braces for Damaging Floods| 11:41PM / Sunday, July 09, 2023 | |
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Powerful storms are expected to cause dangerous flash flooding overnight Sunday and into Monday.
While Central Vermont in particular could experience catastrophic flooding, the entire state and the Western Massachusetts are in danger of flooding and washouts.
Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon and the state's emergency operations system has been activated because of the "likelihood of widespread damage and posing a threat to property and public safety in Vermont."
Scott also authorized activation of the National Guard and the utilization of other state agencies.
Three to 5 inches of rain is expected to fall over already saturated ground, the result of nearly nonstop storms for the past month. Water undermined Route 4 in Killington on Saturday and parts of New York's Hudson Valley, including West Point where a reported 10 inches of rain fell, had significant flooding on Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service, excessive runoff can result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Areas that experienced heavy rain last week are especially vulnerable.
Motorists are being reminded not to drive through flooded roadways and check current road conditions before venturing out. More than 50 percent of all flash flooding deaths occur within vehicles.
Flash flooding threats could become extremely dangerous throughout parts of Vermont and the Champlain Valley bordering New York State. Mud slides in some regions can't be ruled out.
The storm system is expected to depart the region Wednesday.
A flood warning is in effect in the Berkshires through 2 p.m. Tuesday; a flood watch is in effect for Bennington County through 5:30 a.m. Monday.
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