Tropical Storm Irene tracked north northeast across eastern New York and western New England during Sunday, August 28th, producing widespread flooding, and damaging winds across the region.
Irene tracked from a position over New York City around 8 AM EST Sunday, to approximately 10 miles west of Danbury, CT at 10 AM EST, to approximately 15 miles south of Pittsfield, MA at 1 PM EST Sunday, to approximately 65 miles south of Rutland, VT at 4 PM EST.
The greatest impact from Irene across southern Vermont was due to heavy to extreme rainfall, which resulted in catastrophic flooding. Rainfall amounts generally averaged 4 to 8 inches. Much of the rain which fell occurred within a 12 hour period, beginning early Sunday morning, and ending Sunday evening.
This heavy to extreme rainfall resulted in widespread flash flooding and river flooding across southern Vermont. In Bennington County, widespread flash flooding and associated damage was reported countywide, with many roads closed due to flooding and downed trees and power lines. Route 9, the main route across southern Vermont, was closed. The city of Bennington was inaccessible for a period of time. Record flooding occurred on the Walloomsac River at Bennington.
In Windham County, catastrophic flooding was reported countywide, along with widespread damage and road closures. Route 9, the main route across southern Vermont was closed, with the city of Wilmington inaccessible for a period of time. Numerous evacuations were reported. In addition, record flooding occurred on the Saxtons River at Saxtons and the Williams River at Rockingham.
One death occurred due to flooding from Irene in southern Vermont. In Windham County, a woman drowned when the car she was in became trapped by flood waters from the Deerfield River in Wilmington.
Strong winds also occurred across southern Vermont, with frequent wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph, along with locally stronger wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. The strongest winds occurred from the north to northeast during the morning hours, then from the west to northwest during Sunday evening. The combination of strong winds, and extremely saturated soil led to numerous downed trees and power lines across the region. This also resulted in widespread long duration power outages.
In particular, the approximate number of customers affected by power outages included: Bennington County, 5000 and Windham County, 18000.
On September 1st, 2011 a Major Disaster Declaration was declared, FEMA-4022-DR. This declaration made Individual Assistance available to 12 counties in the state of Vermont including Bennington and Windham counties. Public Assistance was made available to all 14 counties in the state. In addition, the declaration made Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance available. It was estimated that in Vermont 312 residences were impacted with 85 destroyed and 227 sustaining major damage.
Individual Assistance: assistance to individuals and households. Public Assistance: assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and repair or replacement if disaster-damaged facilities.