Carla OccasoMemorable weather events have long captivated (and devastated) Montpelier residents. Many such events related to flooding, as reported by Perry Merrill in his book, “Montpelier: The Capital City’s history from 1780 through 1976.” But other weather events made it into the books, too.
Floods: The first recorded flooding event was in 1782. Then, from 1790 through 1809, there was “yearly overflow” of lower places in Montpelier. In 1810, parts of Main Street and State Street were underwater. And in March 1826, a building was washed away by the Winooski River There was also five feet of flooding in 1828 and 1830 (one house and some bridges were swept away). More flooding was recorded in 1842, 1850, 1869, 1895, and again in 1900, 1901, 1902, 1909, and twice in 1912. (Flooding was caused by an ice jam on April 12. Ten business blocks flooded. Flooding also occurred on May 20).
High water came again in 1914. And in 1927, on Nov. 4, 5, and 6, the most severe deluge to date hit town. With no warning, water crept up the stairs of homes, and many people climbed to the highest points until water receded. On Elm Street, water reached the first floor ceiling in some homes. Bridges, barns, dead livestock, lumber, cars, pianos, and even homes were seen being carried off. Water reached 12 feet at the corner of State and Main. The remedy, it was thought at the time, was to build “high strong walls” along the river banks and to widen the channel much more than it was.
Earthquakes: Earthquakes were reportedly felt in Montpelier in 1877 and in 1925. Since the Richter scale had not yet been developed, it is not known how these earthquakes compared with more modern earthquakes. However, The New York Times headline in November 1877 read, “Severe Shock of Earthquake. Montreal, Ogdensburg, the Lake George Region, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Part of Massachusetts Shaken.” The 1925 earthquake was named the Charlevoix–Kamouraska earthquake, and it caused items inside buildings to sway “like the heaving of a ship at sea,” according to the Quebec Chronicle at the time.
Other: A hurricane hit the western part of Vermont in 1938. A “great meteor shower” happened in 1833. And in 1888, “the worst blizzard in Vermont’s history” lasted from March 12 to 30. A severe cloudburst happened at Wrightsville in 1902. And finally, the temperature was 55 below zero on Dec. 30, 1917, and 50 below zero on Dec. 30, 1936 (yes, the same dates coincidentally).
