Flash Flooding and Flooding in Vermont, August 28 to 31, 2011

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in Vermont, August 28 to 31, 2011
Start: 2011-08-28T10:30
End: 2011-08-31T04:48
Location: Vermont

August 28 to 31, 2011 · NWS BTV · 31 events in 19 counties and zones

Tropical Storm Irene moved across southeast New York and southwest New England during the morning hours of August 28th and then proceeded to track north along the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont during the afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging winds in excess of 60 mph was observed within several miles of Lake Champlain in northwest Vermont as well as exposed higher terrain in southern…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 14 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.3 billion
Crop damage: $24 million
Events: 31

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BTV wrote it up.

Strong to damaging winds in excess of 60 mph was observed within several miles of Lake Champlain in northwest Vermont as well as exposed higher terrain in southern Vermont and wind gusts approaching 50 mph downed trees elsewhere in Vermont during the afternoon hours. A peak wind gust of 85 mph was measured at the summit of Mount Mansfield (4400 ft - Lamoille county). Approximately 100,000 customers were without power during the storm.

The main, devastating impact from Irene was widespread, devastating flooding, especially for central and southern Vermont. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches occurred across Vermont with 5 to 7+ inches across much of southern, central Vermont and elevations above 1000 feet along the spine of Vermont's Green Mountains and the Worcester range.

Devastating flash flooding occurred across much of central and southern Vermont mountain valleys with substantial and some record breaking flood stages on larger rivers.

This flood event will likely rank second to the November 1927 flood in the scope of meteorological and hydrological conditions/impacts as well as loss of life (84 in 1927), but likely first in monetary damage ((approx $500. million statewide vs $350. million (1927 in 2010 dollars)). There were nearly 2400 roads, 800 homes/businesses, 300 bridges and a half dozen railroad tracks destroyed or damaged from the flooding caused by Irene.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Burlington, VT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 28, 9:47 AM EST, 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 28, 9:47 AM EST, 43 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1047 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

.SYNOPSIS...
THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IRENE WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON
MUCH OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TODAY AND TONIGHT. MAJOR FLOODING IS
EXPECTED AS MUCH OF THE AREA WILL RECEIVE 4 TO 7 INCHES OF RAIN.
IN ADDITION...STRONG WIND GUSTS IN THE 50 TO 60 MPH RANGE WILL
CAUSE TREES AND POWER LINES TO BE DOWNED AND RESULT IN POWER
OUTAGES. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IS ALSO EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH
WINDS.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 8 AM MONDAY/...
AS OF 1047 AM EDT SUNDAY...

MAJOR FLOODING AND HIGH WINDS WILL IMPACT MUCH OF THE NORTH
COUNTRY THROUGH TONIGHT.

HEAVY RAINS CONTINUE TO FALL OVER SOUTHERN VERMONT WITH FLOODING
REPORTED IN PARTS OF RUTLAND COUNTY. HEAVY RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO
FALL THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS OVER MUCH OF THE AREA. REPORTS
HAVE RANGED FROM 1 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN. GIVEN THE DEEP LAYER OF
MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH NOW TROPICAL STORM IRENE...IT WILL NOT TAKE
MUCH TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN. THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL
TRACK UP INTO VERMONT THIS AFTERNOON AND THE DYNAMICS/DEEP MOISTURE
ASSOCIATED WITH IT WILL LEAD TO HEAVY RAIN ACROSS VERMONT AND
NORTHEAST NEW YORK. OF CONCERN IS THE STRONG AXIS OF FRONTOGENESIS
THAT FORMS ALONG THE NEW YORK AND VERMONT BORDER THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING. THE DEFORMATION ZONE THAT FORMS SHOULD ENHANCE
RAINFALL AND PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN THAT RESULTS IN A SWATH OF 5 TO 7
INCHES IN THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. LOOKING AT 4 TO 6 INCHES OVER THE
REMAINDER OF VERMONT...AROUND AN INCH IN THE SAINT LAWRENCE
VALLEY...AND 2 TO 4 INCHES OVER THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS. ANY
AREAS THAT RECEIVE OVER 4 INCHES OF RAIN WILL EXPERIENCE MAJOR
FLOODING ISSUES. STRONG WINDS WILL BE ANOTHER ISSUE AS SUSTAINED
WINDS IN THE 20 TO 40 MPH RANGE DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
WITH GUSTS IN THE 40 TO 60 MPH RANGE. THERE WILL EVEN BE GUSTS TO
70 MPH OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN. THIS WILL LEAD TO DOWNED TREES AND
POWER LINES...POWER OUTAGES...AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. CONDITIONS
WILL IMPROVE AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AS THE REMNANTS OF IRENE
QUICKLY MOVE OUT OF THE AREA...BUT THE FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO
MONDAY.

&&

.SHORT TERM /8 AM MONDAY THROUGH 6 PM MONDAY/...
AS OF 426 AM EDT SUNDAY...DRIER WEATHER IS EXPECTED ON MONDAY AND
WINDS WILL BE DECREASING AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN BEHIND THE
REMNANTS OF IRENE. TEMPERATURES WILL BE SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL. FLOODING WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON MONDAY.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
AS OF 426 AM EDT SUNDAY...MAINLY FOLLOWED THE 00Z GFS FOR THIS FORECAST
CYCLE...BUT THAT SOLUTION IS SIMILAR TO THE 00Z ECMWF.

IT APPEARS THAT A SHORTWAVE TROUGH WILL DIG SEWD FROM ONTARIO IN THE
WAKE OF IRENE...WITH ASSOCIATED FORCING FOR ASCENT MOVING EASTWARD
ACROSS THE NORTH COUNTRY DURING THE DAY TUESDAY. THIS FEATURE SHOULD
GENERATE SCATTERED DAYTIME RAIN SHOWERS...WITH BEST COVERAGE AND
HIGHEST POPS ACROSS THE NRN MOUNTAINS. HAVE INDICATED POPS OF 35-45
PERCENT FOR THE AFTN HRS ACROSS FAR NRN NY/VT. HIGH TEMPERATURES ON
TUESDAY WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE MID 70S...AND PARTLY SUNNY
CONDITIONS CAN BE ANTICIPATED ON BALANCE. SUFFICIENT CLEARING
TUESDAY NIGHT SHOULD BRING PATCHY FOG TO THE FAVORED VALLEYS WITH
GOOD RADIATIONAL COOLING.

ONCE THE SHORTWAVE TROUGH MOVES EAST OF THE REGION...SHOULD SEE A
PERIOD OF QUIET WEATHER AND LIGHT WINDS AS LARGE SFC RIDGE BECOMES
ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE NERN CONUS WEDNESDAY THRU FRIDAY NIGHT. ONE
CHANGE WITH THE 00Z GUIDANCE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POSITIVE TILT
500MB TROUGH ACROSS THE ERN GREAT LAKES DURING THE DAY
WEDNESDAY...WHICH ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE OFF AS IT TRACKS EWD INTO NEW
YORK AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON THURSDAY. ECMWF ALSO SHOWS THIS
FEATURE...BUT IT IS DISPLACED SOMEWHAT FURTHER NORTH OVER OUR
REGION AND INTO SRN QUEBEC. GIVEN ABSENCE OF THIS UPPER TROUGH IN
PREVIOUS GUIDANCE RUNS...WILL GENERALLY INDICATE JUST MID-UPR CLOUDS
WED-THU BUT NO PCPN CHANCES AT THIS TIME. DEVELOPMENT OF S-SW RETURN
FLOW THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY MAY ALLOW HIGH TEMPERATURES TO MODERATE TO
THE UPR 70S TO AROUND 80F. THEREAFTER...COLD FRONT APPROACHING
SATURDAY SHOULD BRING NEXT CHANCE OF SHOWER ACTIVITY BY LATE IN THE
DAY.

&&

.AVIATION /15Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
THROUGH 12Z MONDAY...IRENE WILL RESULT IN RAPIDLY DETERIORATING
AVIATION WX CONDITIONS EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH THE DEVELOPMENT
OF WIDESPREAD IFR CEILINGS...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL...AND TERRAIN
OBSCD BY LOW CLOUDS/FOG. WINDS WILL INCREASE OUT OF THE NE
25G35KTS THRU EARLY AFTN...AND PEAK 40-50 KTS IN GUSTS AT THE TAF
SITES LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS. WIND
DIRECTION WILL GRADUALLY SHIFT FROM NE TO NW BETWEEN 00-03Z AS LOW
CENTER TRACKS NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS WRN NH THIS EVENING. THE HEAVY
RAIN WILL GRADUALLY TAPER OFF BETWEEN 03-06Z MONDAY...WITH
PRECIPITATION GENERALLY OVER BY 06Z.

OUTLOOK 06Z MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...CONDS GRADUALLY IMPROVE
MONDAY MORNING AS REMNANTS OF IRENE ACCELERATE NEWD ACROSS THE
GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE. NW WINDS DIMINISH TO 10-15 KTS AFTER 15Z
MONDAY WITH GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS BY LATE MORNING THRU THE
REMAINDER OF THE DAY. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL MOVE THRU
BRINGING A CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS - ESPECIALLY TO NRN AREAS - ON
TUESDAY. COULD SEE BRIEF PERIODS OF MVFR CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED
WITH THESE SHOWERS. SFC HIGH PRESSURE BRINGS GENERALLY VFR WX AND
LIGHT WINDS FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. COULD SEE LOCALLY DENSE
RADIATION FOG 06-12Z THU AT MPV/SLK.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED FROM THE EASTERN SLOPES OF
THE NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS EASTWARD ACROSS THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY AND
ALL OF CENTRAL/NORTHERN VERMONT IN ASSOCIATION WITH TROPICAL CYCLONE
IRENE. THE THREAT WILL BEGIN WITH POTENTIAL FLASH FLOODING THIS
AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT...AND MAIN-STEM RIVER FLOODING FROM AROUND
MIDNIGHT MONDAY MORNING WITH RIVERS CRESTING GENERALLY DURING MONDAY
AFTERNOON. THIS WILL BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING FLOOD EVENT
AND CLOSE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO ANY NECESSARY FLOOD WARNINGS
AND/OR FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS ISSUED LATER TODAY INTO TONIGHT AND
MONDAY.

ALL NWP GUIDANCE REMAINS VERY CONSISTENT IN QPF DEPICTION...WITH MAX
PRECIPITATION AXIS BISECTING THE NORTH COUNTRY. MODELS GENERALLY
SUPPORT BASIN-AVERAGE 4-6" RAINFALL TOTALS...BUT HIGHER RESOLUTION
00Z NAM INDICATES UPSLOPE ENHANCEMENT ALONG THE ERN SLOPES OF THE
ADIRONDACKS AND GREEN MTNS WITH POINT TOTALS UP TO 8". THAT MAY BE
A BIT HIGH GIVEN APPROX 24 HR DURATION OF RAINFALL...AND HAVE
NOTED 06Z NAM HAS BACKED OFF THOSE AMTS. OUR OFFICIAL FORECAST AT 4AM
GENERALLY REFLECTS A BLEND OF GFS/NAM/SREF WITH INCORPORATION OF
UPSLOPE ENHANCEMENT...WITH AMOUNTS 4-6" WITH ISOLD 7" TOTALS.

TROPICAL NATURE OF SYSTEM AND STRONG FETCH OF ATLANTIC MOISTURE
BRINGS SWATH OF 2-2.25" PW VALUES NORTHWARD INTO VERMONT BY EARLY
AFTN AS SYSTEM REACHES CT BY 18Z. STRONG WIND FIELD IN 925-700MB
LAYER AND EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION FOCUSES IMPRESSIVE
FRONTOGENETIC FORCING ALONG AND LEFT OF THE LOW TRACK...MAXIMIZED
ACROSS WRN VT AND NERN NY BETWEEN 18-00Z. DURING THIS PERIOD...THE
HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS EXPECTED WITH 2-3"/6-HRS AND HOURLY AMTS IN
EXCESS OF 0.5" AT TIMES. LOCAL TERRAIN EFFECTS ON EAST/NORTHEAST
FACING SLOPES WILL YIELD HIGHEST LOCAL TOTALS. FLASH FLOODING WILL
BECOME MORE LIKELY AS WE HEAD THRU THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HRS
GIVEN THESE FACTORS.

ANTECEDENT SOIL CONDITIONS AREN/T PARTICULARLY MOIST...AND FLASH
FLOOD GUIDANCE SHOWS 4-7" TOTALS ARE NEEDED TO GENERATE FLASH
FLOODING IN A 24 HR PERIOD CURRENTLY. NEVERTHELESS...THOSE ARE THE
AMTS FORTHCOMING WITH IRENE. THE RIVER FORECASTS FROM NERFC REFLECT
RAPID RESPONSES TONIGHT INTO MONDAY WITH MODERATE TO MAJOR RIVER
FLOODING EXPECTED ACROSS NEARLY ALL VERMONT RIVER BASINS IN ADDITION
TO THE AUSABLE BASIN IN NEW YORK. THOSE IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS WILL
NEED TO MONITOR CAREFULLY TODAY THRU THE DAY MONDAY. ALSO...RIVER
FLOWS WILL REMAIN HIGH THRU THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS RIVERS GRADUALLY
RECEDE...REFRAIN FROM VENTURING NEAR OR BOATING IN DANGEROUSLY
HIGH FLOWS NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

&&

.MARINE...
AS OF 426 AM EDT SUNDAY...

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS EXPECTED ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN. DANGEROUS
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATER THIS MORNING AND
ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON AS NORTH WINDS INCREASE INTO THE 35 TO
45 KNOT RANGE AND BECOME EVEN STRONGER TONIGHT...45 TO 55 KNOTS.
THIS WILL CREATE WAVE HEIGHTS...ESPECIALLY ON THE BROAD LAKE...AS
HIGH AS 6 TO 8 FEET. RAIN WILL BE HEAVY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
AND REDUCE VISIBILITIES SHARPLY.

AGAIN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. ALL
PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO SECURE MARINE CRAFT AND OTHER
PROPERTY DUE TO THE VERY STRONG WINDS.

&&

.CLIMATE...
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP 5 2-DAY RAINFALL RECORDS FOR SELECTED
SITES: (RAINFALL ENDING ON SPECIFIED DATE)

BTV
1. 5.10 11/4/1927
2. 4.91 6/14/1942
3. 4.66 10/6/1932
4. 4.49 8/11/1998
5. 4.47 6/15/1942

MPV
1. 6.72 8/5/1989
2. 4.85 10/2/2010
3. 4.51 5/27/2011
4. 4.32 9/17/1999
5. 4.47 6/15/1942

1V4
1. 6.56 11/4/1927
2. 5.90 8/12/1998
3. 5.29 9/17/1999
4. 5.18 7/19/1898
5. 4.99 7/29/1913

MMNV1
1. 10.83 9/17/1999
2. 8.13 8/5/1995
3. 6.69 10/24/1999
4. 6.59 8/17/1981
5. 6.05 8/4/1995

&&

.BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VT...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY FOR VTZ001>012-016>019.
     FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR VTZ001>012-
     016>019.
NY...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY FOR NYZ028-031-034-035.
     FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR NYZ028>031-034-
     035.
     WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM EDT MONDAY FOR NYZ026-027-029-030-087.

&&

SYNOPSIS...EVENSON
NEAR TERM...EVENSON
SHORT TERM...EVENSON
LONG TERM...BANACOS
AVIATION...BANACOS
HYDROLOGY...BANACOS
MARINE...EVENSON
CLIMATE...WFO BTV

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 28, 3:33 AM EST, 6 hours 57 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
433 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

NYZ028-031-034-035-VTZ001>012-016>019-290845-
EASTERN CLINTON-WESTERN CLINTON-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-
GRAND ISLE-WESTERN FRANKLIN-ORLEANS-ESSEX-WESTERN CHITTENDEN-
LAMOILLE-CALEDONIA-WASHINGTON-WESTERN ADDISON-ORANGE-WESTERN RUTLAND-
WINDSOR-EASTERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN CHITTENDEN-EASTERN ADDISON-
EASTERN RUTLAND-
433 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 AM EDT
MONDAY...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK...CENTRAL
VERMONT...NORTHEAST VERMONT...NORTHWEST VERMONT AND SOUTHERN
VERMONT.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

MAJOR FLOODING AND HIGH WINDS TO IMPACT VERMONT AND PARTS OF
NORTHEAST NEW YORK. EXPECT 4 TO 7 INCHES OF RAIN TO PRODUCE MAJOR
FLOODING LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT. IN ADDITION...WIND GUSTS IN THE
50 TO 70 MPH RANGE WILL CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE...DOWN TREES AND
POWER LINES...AND CREATE POWER OUTAGES.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NYZ029-030-290845-
SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-
433 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 2 AM EDT
MONDAY...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

FLOODING AND HIGH WINDS TO IMPACT VERMONT AND PARTS OF THE
NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS OF NEW YORK. EXPECT 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN TO
PRODUCE FLOODING LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT. IN ADDITION...WIND
GUSTS TO 50 MPH WILL CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE...DOWN TREES AND POWER
LINES...AND CREATE POWER OUTAGES.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

NYZ026-027-087-290845-
NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE-
433 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 2 AM EDT
MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

HIGH WINDS TO IMPACT THE SAINT LAWRENCE VALLEY OF NEW YORK. EXPECT
WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH AND THIS WILL CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE...DOWN TREES
AND POWER LINES...AND CREATE POWER OUTAGES.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

EVENSON

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 28, 9:09 AM EST, 1 hour 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1009 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0930 AM     FLASH FLOOD      EAST WALLINGFORD        43.45N  72.88W
08/28/2011                   RUTLAND            VT   PUBLIC

            WASHOUTS ON CENTERVILLE ROAD. STREAM ALONG CENTERVILLE
            ROAD OVER ITS BANKS

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1100472

LOCONTO

Local storm report, Aug 28, 10:01 AM EST, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1101 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1047 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MT. HOLLY               43.45N  72.83W
08/28/2011                   RUTLAND            VT   EMERGENCY MNGR

            LARGE CULVERT NEAR INTERSECTION OF VT RTE 155 AND MAPLE
            HILL ROAD WASHED OUT

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1100473

LOCONTO

Special weather statement, Aug 28, 10:14 AM EST, 16 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1114 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

NYZ026>031-034-035-087-VTZ001>012-016>019-281900-
NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN CLINTON-
SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-WESTERN CLINTON-
WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE-GRAND ISLE-
WESTERN FRANKLIN-ORLEANS-ESSEX-WESTERN CHITTENDEN-LAMOILLE-
CALEDONIA-WASHINGTON-WESTERN ADDISON-ORANGE-WESTERN RUTLAND-
WINDSOR-EASTERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN CHITTENDEN-EASTERN ADDISON-
EASTERN RUTLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MASSENA...MALONE...PLATTSBURGH...
STAR LAKE...SARANAC LAKE...TUPPER LAKE...DANNEMORA...
LAKE PLACID...PORT HENRY...TICONDEROGA...OGDENSBURG...POTSDAM...
GOUVERNEUR...ALBURGH...SOUTH HERO...ST. ALBANS...NEWPORT...
ISLAND POND...BURLINGTON...JOHNSON...STOWE...ST. JOHNSBURY...
MONTPELIER...MIDDLEBURY...VERGENNES...BRADFORD...RANDOLPH...
RUTLAND...SPRINGFIELD...WHITE RIVER JUNCTION...ENOSBURG FALLS...
RICHFORD...UNDERHILL...BRISTOL...RIPTON...EAST WALLINGFORD...
KILLINGTON
1114 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

...MAJOR FLOODING AND DAMAGING WINDS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

NEW INFORMATION...
UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE STORM LOCATION, ONGOING RAIN AND WINDS.

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE IN LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTHERN NEW
YORK AND VERMONT...ALONG WITH MARINE INTERESTS ALONG LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING FOR
VERMONT AND THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
ADIRONDACKS IN NORTHERN NEW YORK.

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT FOR THE SAINT
LAWRENCE VALLEY AND THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE ADIRONDACKS IN
NORTHERN NEW YORK.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING FOR THE
NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS AND CHAMPLAIN VALLEY OF NEW YORK AND ALL OF
VERMONT.

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTH
COUNTRY, AND ADDITIONAL WARNINGS ARE EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 11 AM EDT...TROPICAL STORM IRENE HAD MADE LANDFALL AND WAS
LOCATED JUST WEST OF DANBURY CONNECTICUT. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS
WERE NEAR 60 MPH. IRENE WILL MOVE NORTHEAST THIS AFTERNOON AND UP
THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY EARLY THIS EVENING.

.RAINFALL...
AS OF LATE MORNING, WIDESPREAD 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN
ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF VERMONT. TOTALS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES HAVE
OCCURRED ACROSS NORTHERN VERMONT AND EASTERN SECTIONS OF NEW YORK.
VERY LITTLE RAIN HAS FALLEN IN THE SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER VALLEY.
MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL CONTINUE ALL AFTERNOON AND MUCH OF THE
EVENING, PRODUCING WIDESPREAD 4 TO 7 INCH TOTALS ACROSS MOST OF
VERMONT AND EASTERN SECTIONS OF NEW YORK.

.FLOODING...
AS OF LATE MORNING, FLOODING WAS ALREADY BEING OBSERVED IN
PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN VERMONT. WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT FLASH
FLOODING AND FLOODING OF RIVERS AND STREAMS IS EXPECTED...
ESPECIALLY ACROSS VERMONT AND ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE
ADIRONDACKS. THE WORST OF THE FLASH FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR
DURING THE AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE EVENING TODAY, WHILE RIVER
FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY. THE FLOODING WILL RESULT IN A
SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO PROPERTY AND LIFE. EVERYONE IN FLOOD PRONE
AREAS NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW. FLOODING AT NIGHT IS ESPECIALLY
DANGEROUS AS IT IS MUCH HARDER TO RECOGNIZE HOW DEEP WATER IS OR
REALIZE THAT A ROAD OR BRIDGE IS WASHED OUT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.

.WINDS...
WINDS ARE BEGINNING TO STRENGTHEN ACROSS THE REGION, AND THIS
TREND WILL CONTINUE DURING THE AFTERNOON. NORTH TO NORTHEAST
WINDS WILL PEAK THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING, AND GUSTS FREQUENTLY
OVER 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED. ISOLATED WIND GUSTS NEAR 70 MPH ARE
POSSIBLE ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN AND PORTIONS OF EASTERN
VERMONT AND IN THE IMMEDIATE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY.

ACROSS THE SAINT LAWRENCE VALLEY AND WESTERN AREAS OF THE
ADIRONDACKS...THE WINDS WILL BE SLIGHTLY WEAKER...HOWEVER GUSTS
OF 45 TO 55 MPH WILL OCCUR.

WINDS OF THIS STRENGTH WILL DOWN NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES.
LARGE SCALE AND LONG LASTING POWER OUTAGES CAN BE EXPECTED. DRIVING
LARGE VEHICLES SUCH AS TRAILERS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES WILL BE
DIFFICULT. NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF ANY OBJECTS THAT MAY BE
BLOWN AROUND BY STRONG WINDS SUCH AS TENTS AND DECK FURNITURE.

.MARINE...
ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN...VERY STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN
DURING THE AFTERNOON, PEAKING DURING THE EARLY EVENING. SEVERAL
HOURS OF SUSTAINED WINDS IN THE 40 TO 55 MPH RANGE ARE
EXPECTED...WITH GUSTS APPROACHING 65 MPH. AFTER MIDNIGHT, WINDS
WILL TURN NORTHWEST TO WEST AND BE IN THE 25 TO 40 MPH RANGE.
WINDS THIS STRONG WILL PRODUCE VERY LARGE WAVES...WHICH MAY EXCEED
8 FEET IN THE BROAD PORTION OF THE LAKE. THE WAVES WILL RESULT IN
EROSION ON NORTH AND WEST FACING LAKE SHORES. ALL PRECAUTIONS NEED
TO BE MADE TO SECURE BOATS AND OTHER PROPERTY ON THE LAKE.

.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
BURLINGTON BY 3 PM...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS WARRANT. PLEASE STAY
TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL MEDIA...OR GO TO
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BURLINGTON FOR FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS LIFE AND
PROPERTY THREATENING WEATHER SITUATION.

NASH

Local storm report, Aug 28, 10:28 AM EST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1128 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1123 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WEST NEWBURY            44.06N  72.12W
08/28/2011                   ORANGE             VT   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN WITH POWER LINES HANGING LOW... BLOCKING
            ENTIRE PART OF 284 TYLER FARM ROAD

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1100474

LOCONTO

The radar

The Burlington radar (KCXX), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:30 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 strong wind, 10 flood, 6 flash flood, 4 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Rutland

When: August 28, 10:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where: Rutland County, 0.62 mi ESE of Benson to 3.12 mi SSE of West Pawlet
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50 million
Crop damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.716, -73.309

Devastating flash flooding occurred across much of Rutland county, mainly along and east of Route 7 and especially in the foothills of the western slopes of the Green Mountains, such as Rutland, Killington, Mendon, Wallingford, Brandon, Chittenden and Pittsford. Dozens of roads (state and local), including Routes 4, 7, 103 and 155, as well as several bridges were washed out or suffered severe damage. Several communities between Rutland and Windsor counties were isolated due to loss infrastructure. Dozens of homes and businesses experienced severe flooding and two fatalities occurred in Rutland-Mendon vicinity.

Flash Flood, Windsor

When: August 28, 10:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where: Windsor County, 2.87 mi SSW of Goulds Mill to 1.15 mi SSE of Pompanoosuc
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $100 million
Crop damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.229, -72.482

Devastating flash flooding as a result of 4 to 7+ inches of rainfall occurred across all of Windsor county, especially in the foothills of the Green Mountains such as Rochester, Ludlow, Stockbridge, Barnard, Woodstock, Plymouth, Cavendish. Several dozens roads (state and local), including Routes 4, 12, 12A, 100, 103, 107 and 131, as well as several bridges were washed out or suffered severe damage. Several communities between Rutland and Windsor and within Windsor county were isolated due to loss infrastructure. Dozens of homes and businesses experienced severe flooding as well as major losses to farms and livestock.

Flood, Rutland

When: August 28, 12:20 PM EST to August 31, 4:48 AM EST
Where: Rutland County, 2.38 mi SE of Mt Tabor to 2.76 mi W of Danby Four Corners
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 43.322, -72.952

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused devastating flooding along Otter Creek and its tributaries. Homes, businesses, and roads were flooded from Wallingford downstream through Rutland, Proctor, Pittsford, and Brandon. Otter Creek at Center Rutland crested at a new record of 17.21 feet, besting the previous record by almost four feet.

High Wind, Grand Isle

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Grand Isle forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.797, -73.295 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to damaging north winds of 35 to 45 mph sustained with estimated gusts in excess of 60 mph buffeted Grand Isle county and Lake Champlain. Estimated wave heights of 4 to 6 feet and possibly higher damaged boats, moorings and knocked down or uprooted numerous trees with thousands of customers without power.

High Wind, Western Chittenden

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Western Chittenden forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.461, -73.081 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to damaging north winds of 25 to 35 mph sustained with estimated gusts in excess of 60 mph along the lakeshore. Estimated wave heights of 4 to 6 feet and possibly higher damaged boats, moorings and knocked down or uprooted numerous trees with thousands of customers without power. BTV ASOS (some 5 miles inland) measured a 51 mph wind gust.

High Wind, Western Franklin

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Western Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.858, -72.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Western Addison

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Western Addison forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.031, -73.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong to damaging north winds of 25 to 35 mph sustained with estimated gusts near 60 mph along the lakeshore. Estimated wave heights of 4 to 6 feet and possibly higher damaged boats, moorings and knocked down or uprooted numerous trees with thousands of customers without power.

Strong Wind, Western Rutland

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Western Rutland forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.580, -73.037 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph or higher, especially exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused numerous damaged or uprooted trees along the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Strong Wind, Windsor

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Windsor forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph, especially across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused widespread downed and uprooted trees.

Flash Flood, Washington

When: August 28, 2:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 3.42 mi NNW of Waterbury Arpt to 0.27 mi W of Fayston
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $60 million
Crop damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.422, -72.767

Severe todevastating flash flooding occurred across much of Washington county, especially in the foothills of the Green Mountains. Communities such as Roxbury, Warren, Waitsfield, Fayston, Moretown, Montpelier, Barre, Berlin, Northfield suffered major damage to roads and bridges (state and local), including Routes 12, 12A, 14, 17, 62, and 100. Several communities were isolated due to loss infrastructure. Several homes and businesses as well as farms suffered tremendous losses to crops and livestock.

Flash Flood, Addison

When: August 28, 2:30 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Addison County, 1.95 mi ENE of Ferrisburg to 1.48 mi NE of Monkton Ridge
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $20 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.206, -73.212

Several areas of flash flooding occurred across Addison county, east of Route 7 and especially in the foothills of the western slopes of the Green Mountains in communities such as Lincoln, Ripton, Hancock, Granville, Bristol, East Middlebury, New Haven, Monkton, Salisbury and Leicester. Dozens of roads (state/local) witnessed partial or full washouts, including Routes 7, 17, 116 and 125. Several homes and businesses experienced flooding and many farmlands loss there late summer harvest due to flooding.

Strong Wind, Eastern Addison

When: August 28, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Addison forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.031, -73.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, especially exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused numerous damaged or uprooted trees along the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Strong Wind, Eastern Chittenden

When: August 28, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Chittenden forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.461, -73.081 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, especially exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused numerous damaged or uprooted trees along the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Strong Wind, Lamoille

When: August 28, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Lamoille forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.606, -72.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph with peak at 55 mph across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused widespread downed and uprooted trees. A wind gust of 85 mph was measured at the summit of Mount Mansfield (4400 ft).

Strong Wind, Orange

When: August 28, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Orange forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.006, -72.377 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph, especially across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused widespread downed and uprooted trees.

Flash Flood, Orange

When: August 28, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Orange County, 1.24 mi WNW of Randolph to 5.1 mi SSW of Union Vlg
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $33 million
Crop damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.930, -72.691

Severe flash flooding occurred across portions of Orange county, especially southern and western sections along the foothills of the Green Mountains. Communities such as Braintree, Randolph, Brookfield, Williamstown, Chelsea, Tunbridge and Strafford suffered signficant damage to roads and bridges (state and local), including Routes 12, 12A, 14, 110 and 113. Several homes and businesses as well as farms suffered tremendous losses to crops and livestock.

Strong Wind, Caledonia

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Caledonia forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.465, -72.102 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 45 to 50 mph, especially exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused numerous damaged or uprooted trees throughout the county.

Strong Wind, Eastern Franklin

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.858, -72.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, especially exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused numerous damaged or uprooted trees along the western slopes of the Green Mountains.

Strong Wind, Essex

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Essex forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.728, -71.736 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused scattered damage or uprooted trees.

Strong Wind, Orleans

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Orleans forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.829, -72.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, especially across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused widespread downed and uprooted trees.

Strong Wind, Washington

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.273, -72.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph, especially across exposed higher terrain, along with saturated soils caused widespread downed and uprooted trees.

Flash Flood, Chittenden

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Chittenden County, 1.7 mi ESE of South Hinesburg to 0.82 mi SE of Essex Jct
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $2.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.275, -73.036

Several areas of flash flooding occurred across eastern Chittenden county, especially in the foothills of the western slopes of the Green Mountains in communities such as Bolton, Hineburg, Huntington, Jonesville, Richmond, Westford, Jericho, Underhill, Essex and Williston. Several roads witnessed partial or full washouts. Several homes and businesses experienced flooding and many farmlands loss there late summer harvest due to flooding.

Flood, Windsor

When: August 28, 4:00 PM EST to August 29, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Windsor County, 0.63 mi SE of Pompanoosuc to 3.02 mi S of Evarts
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20 million
Crop damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 43.763, -72.221

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused devastating flooding along the White and Ottauquechee River and their tributaries. Homes, businesses, and roads were flooded throughout Windsor county. The White River at West Hartford crested at 28.40 feet, about a foot below the record crest of 29.30 feet set in the great flood of 1927.

Flood, Washington

When: August 28, 5:00 PM EST to August 29, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Washington County, 5 mi NE of Cabot to Waterbury
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $15 million
Crop damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 44.451, -72.228

Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive flooding across Washington County VT. The Winooski River was the primary river in flood in Washington County, cresting at 19.05 feet in Montpelier at 21:15 EST August 28, the second highest crest on record. Flooding was extensive in downtown Montpelier. Downstream in Waterbury, the Winooski flooded the Waterbury State Office Complex and portions of downtown Waterbury. Many offices of state agencies were inundated, and active operations at the Vermont state mental hospital and Vermont Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center were forced to relocate during the flood.

Flood, Orange

When: August 28, 6:00 PM EST to August 29, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Orange County, Wells River to 3 mi N of East Thetford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.150, -72.050

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused flooding countywide in Orange County VT. Flooding along Wells River was extensive, isolating Wells River Village VT. Flooding along the Waits River caused widespread flooding through Corinth VT and downstream to Bradford VT.

Flood, Caledonia

When: August 28, 6:00 PM EST to August 29, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Caledonia County, 4 mi ENE of East Burke to 2.36 mi SSE of East Ryegate
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $4.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 44.622, -71.875

Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene was widespread across Caledonia County. The Passumpsic River flooded portions of route 5 from Lyndonville downstream through St. Johnsbury Center, forcing evacuations of homes and businesses along Main Street in Lyndonville. Upper reaches of the Wells River flooded portions of route 302 in Groton and South Ryegate.

Flood, Essex

When: August 28, 6:00 PM EST to August 29, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Essex County, Canaan to Norton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $300,000
Crop damage: $200,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.000, -71.530

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused flooding across Essex County VT. Creeks and streams were overwhelmed.

Flood, Orleans

When: August 28, 6:00 PM EST to August 30, 9:30 AM EST
Where: Orleans County, 4.67 mi WNW of Jay to 3.83 mi W of Craftsbury
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500 million
Crop damage: $250,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 45.007, -72.550

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Irene inundated roads in Orleans County Vermont. The Barton River flooded river road near Orleans, and the Barton River at Coventry crested at 10.27 feet at 04:00 am EST Aug 29, over two feet above flood stage of 8.0 feet. Other local roads near Troy were flooded by the Missisquoi river, and the Missisquoi at North Troy crested at 13.94 feet at 02:30 am EST Aug 29, almost five feet over flood stage of 9.0 feet.

Flood, Chittenden

When: August 28, 8:00 PM EST to August 30, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Chittenden County, 5 mi SE of Huntington to 5 mi W of Cedar Beach
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 44.279, -72.909

Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive flooding across Chittenden County in the Winooski River Valley and other rivers such as the Browns River. Along the Winooski...homes and businesses were flooded in Richmond, and hundreds of acres of farmland were inundated. Routes 2 and 117 were inundated and impassable from Williston and Essex upstream through Richmond to Jonesville.

Flood, Lamoille

When: August 28, 8:00 PM EST to August 30, 2:30 AM EST
Where: Lamoille County, Moscow to 4.85 mi WSW of Cambridge
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2.5 million
Crop damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 44.430, -72.720

Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene was widespread across Lamoille County. Most of the flooding was along the Lamoille River, which crested at 16.54 feet at Johnson Vermont at 5:30 am EST August 29, and at 453.76 feet at 2:00 pm EST August 29 in Jeffersonville Vt. Sections of Route 15 were flooded and closed to traffic, and businesses in Johnson were inundated by floodwaters.

Flood, Franklin

When: August 28, 8:00 PM EST to August 29, 11:30 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 5 mi E of Richford to 3.19 mi NE of West Swanton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500 million
Crop damage: $500,000
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 45.000, -72.568

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused flooding across Franklin County VT. Along the Missisquoi River and its tributaries, floodwaters inundated and forced the closures of routes 105, 118, and 108. The Missisquoi River at East Berkshire crested at 14.13 feet at 1:00 am EST August 29. Flood stage is 13.0 feet.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Rutland	2011-08-28	25	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct
Flash Flood, Rutland	2011-08-28	55	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Vermont in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Vermont, August 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 341632, 341654, 341860, 340422, 340425, 340426, 340427, 340437, 340443, 341866, 341879, 340434, 340435, 340439, 340440, 341869, 340433, 340436, 340438, 340441, 340442, 341865, 341867, 342162, 342159, 342170, 342188, 342193, 342168, 342182, 342200.