Wind advisory, flood watch in effect in Vermont as Nor'easter hits

As a Nor'easter hits Vermont, much of the state is either under a flood watch or wind advisory and power is out for more than 10,000 residents as of early Thursday. 

In Chittenden County and surrounding counties, the wind is likely going to get worse before it gets better, according to the National Weather Service in Burlington. A wind advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

Winds of 25 to 30 mph are expected during that time, with gusts of up to 50 mph. The strong wind gusts are expected through much of the daylight hours before lessening Thursday evening. In parts of southern Vermont, including Bennington and Windham counties, gusts could reach up to 55 mph.

The strongest gusts in northern Vermont are expected to be near Lake Champlain's shore and over its open waters, especially across southeastern Essex, southwestern Chittenden and western Addison counties where enhanced channeling will occur, the service said. 

"Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects," according to the service's advisory. "Tree limbs could be blown down resulting in isolated power outages."

Throughout much of the state, a flood watch was also in effect through Friday morning. This means there is potential for flooding in areas including in Franklin, Chittenden, Lamoille, Washington, Addison, Orange, Rutland and Windsor counties. Rainfall in these areas will range from half an inch to 3 inches, with heavier rainfall during the day and early evening lessening in intensity and coverage Thursday night, the service said. 

Runoff from the rainfall may cause minor flooding in rivers and small streams, the service said. Also, street flooding may occur Thursday night due to fallen leaves clogging storm drains.

Power is out for Vermonters across the state

According to VTOutages.org, most of the power outages Thursday morning were occurring in the southern counties in the state. Most of those outages were for customers of Green Mountain Power, the state's largest electricity utility company. 

As of Thursday at about 8:45 a.m., Green Mountain Power said in a news release that its crews had restored power to 12,700 customers so far. The utility said the storm has caused more damage than was forecast, and it brought dangerous conditions for crews trying to assist customers. 

"In some areas, crews have had to pull back from making repairs because trees were toppling around them and it just wasn’t safe to keep working,” said Mike Burke, the utility's Chief Field Operations Executive. “Crews are working in every county we serve to get the lights back on, and they will make progress today, but we do expect more outages and urge customers to also be safe.”

Downed power lines affecting some roads

As of 8:40 a.m., downed power lines were affecting traffic on the following roadways: 

• Vermont 7A near Arlington Rec Park

Those who come across downed power lines should not go near them or touch them, Green Mountain power has said. If the line is blocking the road or in contact with a car with people inside, the utility recommends calling 911 then calling the utility. 

"If a power line lands on your vehicle, stay inside until help arrives unless there is a fire," the utility said. "If you absolutely must leave the vehicle, jump clear of it so that you do not touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time. Once you land, shuffle away, keeping both feet in contact with the ground at all times."

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.