Gov. Scott: Flood damage might require Vermont to apply for federal aid

Gov. Phil Scott assessed flood damage in the state Wednesday and said it could potentially require federal aid. 

The Green Mountain State experienced higher-than-normal water levels along rivers and on Lake Champlain throughout the week, prompting flood watches from the National Weather Service.

Scott examined damaged roads in Bethel and Pittsfield and indicated that Vermont could surpass the damage required to receive federal aid. He said Vermont will apply for the declaration to get the necessary assistance. 

“Some of what we saw yesterday had me concerned in terms of obstructions," Gov. Scott said during a news conference in Montpelier Thursday. "There were a number of trees and debris up against some of the infrastructure, the bridges and so forth, as well as plugged culverts and elevated stream beds from sand and gravel and rocks and so forth." 

Scott expressed concern if Bethel and Pittsfield get hit with more damage. 

"I would say that there’s going to be more significant flooding there just because of the culverts and the infrastructure that are already plugged," he said. 

At the news conference Director of Vermont Emergency Management Erica Borneman said she submitted a request Wednesday to FEMA Region 1 to assess damage in counties including Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Rutland, Washington and Windsor.

Weather for this weekend

The National Weather Service continued to keep Vermont and New York up-to-date with new weather outlooks throughout the week. 

There is a flood watch in effect for central and northern Vermont — as well as northern New York — beginning Friday evening and continuing through Sunday morning. 

Moderate (and "locally heavy rainfall") will start off in New York and make its way to Vermont by Friday night. Isolated flash flooding could occur "in heavier shower activity" Friday afternoon through Saturday.   

More:Another flood watch for Vermont, New York: When, where and what to expect

Rain and snow melt can prompt sharp increases on streams and rivers — "especially across northern New York and mainly north of Interstate 89 in Vermont."

Lake Champlain will be close to flood stage this weekend.

The National Weather Service reported Lake Champlain stood at 99.36 feet on Thursday.

Borneman said conversations with the National Weather Service indicated the lake could be around flood stage in April and May.

"So that is a long-term hazard," Borneman said. "And any time you have a wind event on the lake, assuming it only stays at 100 feet, you will have continued damage on the roads and homes and infrastructure around the lake because of piling and wave action that wind creates."

Main stem rivers that face the highest flooding risk include:

• The Ausable.
• The Lamoille.
• The Missisquoi.
• The Passumpsic. 
• The Saranac Rivers.
• The Wells.
• The Winooski.

Check to see if your county is under the watch here. 

Free Press staff writer April McCullum and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Maleeha Syed at mzsyed@freepressmedia.com or 802-495-6595. Follow her on Twitter @MaleehaSyed89.