Sunny Saturday followed up by flood warning, watch in parts of Vermont,New York Monday
Maleeha Syed
A flood watch is in effect for parts of Vermont and New York through Tuesday morning, according to a statement released by the National Weather Service at 4:36 a.m. Monday. A flood warning is in effect for parts of the Winooski River, as well.
Rainfall can accumulate from three-quarters of an inch to 2 inches. The service warned that snow melt paired with rain could lead to "main stem river flooding on the Ausable, Missisquoi, Passumpsic, Otter Creek, Winooski, Lamoille, and possibly the Mad River."
The service indicated most of the main stem rivers will likely crest during the day.
Vermont counties under the watch include Addison, Chittenden, Lamoille and Rutland. Cities include Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Johnsbury and Vergennes.
New York counties under the watch include Clinton and St. Lawrence. Cities include Dannemora, Lake Placid, Malone, Massena and Plattsburgh.
Vermont Emergency Management issued a news release at 9 a.m. Monday, which includes safety tips, as well as resources to stay updated on information like weather conditions and road closures.
Flood warning for the Winooski River
The service issued a follow-up flood warning for the Winooski River at Waterbury and Essex Junction at 7:15 a.m. Monday.
The water was about four feet below the flooding stage (which is 12 feet) around 6:30 a.m. according to the weather service. It's predicted that minor flooding will occur and will reach close to 14 feet by this afternoon. This will begin to subside around late morning Tuesday.
Roads that will be impacted by the weather include:
- Pine Island Road, Colchester.
- North Williston Road, Essex.
- Bridge Street, Richmond.
- Volunteer Green, Richmond.
- "Low-lying roads in Jonesville."
Furthermore, farmlands will be impacted by the flooding. These include areas around the Winooski River "from Bolton through Burlington" and "low-lying farmland in the Burlington Intervale."
Flood safety
People around rivers and streams should get to higher ground as fast as possible if it seems like the water is beginning to rise, according to the service. Furthermore, the service strongly encouraged commuters to pay attention and follow any signs indicating road closures: "Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Turn around, don't drown!'
The service clarifies the difference between a flood warning and watch on its safety page:
- A watch goes into effect "when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur." However, this does not indicate that flooding will absolutely occur, but there is potential.
- A warning goes into effect at times when the weather conditions are "imminent or already happening."
Drivers are not the only ones who need to watch out: The service encourages people on foot to avoid walking through waters: "It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet."
Call 911 if you find yourself stuck in water and try to get to the highest point you can. There could be hazardous materials in the water that are not visible on the surface, like chemicals, electrical wires and sharp objects.
Contact Maleeha Syed at mzsyed@freepressmedia.com or 802-495-6595. Follow her on Twitter @MaleehaSyed89.