Cassandra
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for central Vermont from Wednesday, Dec. 11, through Thursday morning, Dec. 12, according to a press release from Montpelier City Manager William Fraser.
Both river and flash flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is possible, Fraser noted in the release.
The release stated that the Winooski River at Montpelier is anticipated to crest at 10.3 feet, which is 0.7 feet below the 11-foot Action Stage. For context, the Winooski River at Montpelier crested at 16.15 feet on Dec. 18, 2023. The action stage is the level at which action is needed to prepare for possible flooding.
You can view the river level gauge for the Winooski River in Montpelier at water.noaa.gov/gauges/monv1 .
Fraser also stated that the city of Montpelier has been in contact with the National Weather Service and Vermont Dam Safety and will be actively monitoring the river levels as an expected rain storm passes through the area.
The city will also be putting up detour signs along lower State Street in the event a road closure is needed, and will share updates as the situation evolves.
City officials recommend doing the following:
– Prepare for mild flooding today (Dec. 10) into tomorrow. Elevate items in your basements and low areas prone to flooding.
– Sign up for VT-Alerts at vem.vermont.gov/vtalert
– Sign up for email updates from the city of Montpelier at montpelier vt.org/list.aspx
– Before traveling, check for road closures and hazards on New England 511 at newengland511.org
– Check weather alerts at weather.gov.
