Meteorologists are warning that Vermont will likely experience flash floods between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning. The flash flooding could wreak havoc with newly repaired roads and bridges after last week’s historic floods caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Roger Hill, a meteorologist based in Middlesex, said rainfall amounts have been lowered slightly since the original National Weather Service reports that warned of 4- inch rainfalls were issued on Friday. At this point, precipitation models show 2 inches to 3 inches of rain, Hill said.
As of about noon on Sunday, Lamoille County appeared to be most vulnerable according to computer models, Hill said. Three inches of rainfall in a six-hour period would cause flash flooding of the Lamoille River.
The National Weather Service River Forecast Center in Taunton, Mass., has issued six- hour flash-flood warnings for Lamoille County based on information about recent rainfall levels, temperature levels, vegetation and soil saturation.
Rainfall amounts in the rest of the state could be between 2 inches and 2.5 inches, Hill said. Because the ground is still saturated in most of the state, if rainfall amounts are above 2.25 inches, parts of the state – especially in southern Vermont – many areas could experience more flooding, Hill said.
“We’re still susceptible (to flash flooding) especially in hard-hit areas with graveled roads and new bridges most vulnerable,” Hill said.
Mark Bosma, communications director for Vermont Emergency Management, said the state is preparing for the worst, though Hill’s prediction, he said, “would be better than what we’ve been hearing the last couple of days.”
“The weather in Vermont — you can hardly predict what it’s going to do. We’re still in the Emergencyt Operations Center, going 24-7 and taking calls from communities and seeing if they need assistance.”
Bosma said they are making preparations similar to those taken last week. Swift-water rescue teams are on standby.
He urged Vermonters to prepare for flash flooding and downpours.
“If streams rise, quickly get to higher ground,” Bosma said.
Gov. Peter Shumlin has been warning Vermonters to prepare for more flooding in press conferences over the last several days.
Shumlin warned that 3 inches of rain or more could fall in some parts of Vermont by Monday evening, posing a problem for recent ad hoc road-building efforts. “We can’t take much right now,” Shumlin said.
Administration officials reiterated the state’s preparedness. Utilities and state agencies are holding daily conference calls to coordinate responses to outages caused by adverse weather. With a steady influx of Federal Emergency Management Agency resources and personnel, as well as an already-mobilized National Guard, Secretary of Administratioin Jeb Spaulding said Vermont is poised to weather any additional flooding. “If the worst happens, we’re as prepared as we can possibly be.”
The governor’s office will remain open throughout the weekend and Labor Day on Monday. Vermonters are directed to call 802-828-3333 for assistance.
His office issued the following preparation advice:
• Everyone should monitor weather information from the National Weather Service (www.nws.gov/btv ), radio and TV broadcasts, print media, or Internet sources.
• Stock up on water, non-perishable food and other supplies to be able to shelter at homes for up to three days. As we have seen this week, you could be stranded even longer.
• Prepare for power outages by stockpiling flashlights and fresh batteries and a battery- powered radio. If you have a generator, ensure that it is professionally installed and can be operated without causing a carbon monoxide hazard. Report outages to your electric utility. Be sure you have at least one phone that does not need electricity.
• If local officials order an evacuation, respond immediately. Plan your evacuation route ahead of time, one that brings you over high ground.
• Use text messaging to communicate with family and friends during a storm, if possible, rather than cell phone calls. Texts use much less bandwidth than cell phone calls and messages are more likely to get through.
State of Vermont preparedness activities:
• The Vermont Emergency Operations Center is still operating 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Officials are ready to respond at a moment’s notice, just as they were last week when they were pre-staged in anticipation of Hurricane Irene.
• Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn has ordered all personnel and resources of his department to be directed toward preparation for the worst-case scenario for the next storm.
• Swiftwater rescue teams are on alert and will be staged to appropriate areas of the state once it becomes clearer which areas have the greatest likelihood of flooding.
• The governor and Vermont Emergency Management have been in constant contact with the National Weather Service to receive updates as they become available.
• Vermont communities, emergency workers and those working on flood recovery are being kept abreast of weather reports in order to prepare for adverse weather.
