VEM Overnight Alerts

[Chris Santee]

Montpelier, Berlin Evacuating Residents
One of Several Communities with Flooding Problems

MONTPELIER – The Winooski River and its tributaries have spilled over their banks in the city of Montpelier and residents are being evacuated.  Route 2 west is currently flooded from Bailey Avenue and the river has not yet crested.

Residents of other cities and towns have been or are being removed from their homes because of flooding.  Swiftwater rescue teams are being utilized in areas and others are standing by if more help is needed.

Emergency Shelters have been opened at the following locations:
National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier
Berlin Elementary School in Berlin
Barre Auditorium in Barre

Driving in areas of the state is hazardous with flash floods covering roads in low areas, or washing them out on higher ground.

The following state roads are currently closed:

Route 302 (Barre-Montpelier Road) - flooding

Route 302 / Route 25 in Orange- flooding

Route 302 in Groton from Route 232 to Powder Spring Road - flooding

Route 2 in Danville - flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg - flooding

Route 232 in Groton - flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town in the vicinity of Gillies Marine - flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls - flooding

Route 5 St. Johnsbury Center - mudslide

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

[Chris Santee]

Delayed opening of state offices

MONTPELIER – Due to weather conditions, State offices in all counties of Vermont have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status from 3:00am to 10:00am on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period, may do so without loss of pay or benefits.

All employees designated as essential personnel for reduced workforce situations including Corrections, Public Safety, Institutions and Transportation Maintenance should report for work as normally expected. All other non-essential state employees may not report to work unless specifically required to by a manager.

Media questions can be directed to Karin Tierney at 802-522-6477 or Karin.tierney@state.vt.us.

[Chris Santee]

3:30 a.m. flooding update
(Updates will be distributed hourly on the half-hour or as conditions significantly change)

Updated information:
Current Road closures:

Route 302 (Barre-Montpelier Road) - flooding

Route 302 / Route 25 in Orange- flooding

Route 302 in Groton from Route 232 to Powder Spring Road - flooding

Route 2 in Danville - flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg - flooding

Route 232 Groton - flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town in the vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding

Route 14 S. in Barre in the vicinity of Hannafords to Route 63 – flooding

Route 14 in Williamstown - flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls - flooding

Route 5 in St. Johnsbury Center – mudslide

Route 5 in Passumpsic - flooding

Route 140 and 155 in Wallingford – trees down

Shelters:
National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier
Barre Auditorium in Barre
Berlin Elementary School in Berlin (Likely to close soon and visitors sent to Barre Auditorium)
St. Johnsbury Municipal building

State offices in all counties have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status from 3:00am to 10:00am on Friday, May 27, 2011.  Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period may do so without loss of pay or benefits.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

[Chris Santee]

4:30 a.m. flooding update
(Updates will be distributed hourly on the half-hour or as conditions significantly change)

Updated information:
Current Road closures:
Route 302 / Route 25 in Orange- flooding

Route 302 in Groton from Route 232 to Powder Spring Road - flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding

Route 2 in Plainfield (east of village) – flooding

Route 2 in E. Montpelier in the vicinity Mekkelsen RV - flooding

Route 232 in Groton - flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town in the vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding

Route 14 in S. Barre in the vicinity Hannafords to Route 63 – flooding

Route 14 in Williamstown – flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls - flooding

Route 5 St. Johnsbury Center to Lyndonville – mudslide / flooding

Route 5 in Passumpsic – flooding

Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex - flooding

Route 140 and 155 Wallingford – trees down, crews removing, should reopen soon.

This list does NOT include local roads; regardless, please respect all road closures.

Shelters:
National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier
Barre Auditorium in Barre
St. Johnsbury Municipal building
(Berlin shelter is now CLOSED)

State offices in all counties have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status from 3:00am to 10:00am on Friday, May 27, 2011.  Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period may do so without loss of pay or benefits.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

[Chris Santee]

5:30 a.m. flooding update
(Updates will be distributed hourly on the half-hour or as conditions significantly change)

Updated information:
Current Road closures:
Route 302 / Route 25 in Orange- flooding

Route 302 in Groton from Route 232 to Powder Spring Road - flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding

Route 2 in Plainfield (east of village) – flooding

Route 2 in E. Montpelier in the vicinity Mekkelsen RV - flooding

Route 232 in Groton - flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town in the vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding

Route 14 in S. Barre in the vicinity Hannafords to Route 63 – flooding

Route 14 in Williamstown – flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls - flooding

Route 5 St. Johnsbury Center to Lyndonville – mudslide / flooding

Route 5 in Passumpsic – flooding

Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex - flooding

Route 140 and 155 Wallingford – trees down, crews removing, should reopen soon.

Route 64 in Williamstown from Route 14 to Construction Hill – flooding/undermining


Montpelier Road Closures:
Elm Street from Spring Street

Northfield Street from Derby Street

Sherwood Street

State Street

Bailey Avenue

Old Country Club Road

Tyler Street

Derby Street

Granite Street

Several other local roads are closed; please respect all road closures
Shelters:
National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier
Barre Auditorium in Barre
(St. Johnsbury and Berlin shelters are now CLOSED)

State offices in all counties have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status from 3:00am to 10:00am on Friday, May 27, 2011.  Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period may do so without loss of pay or benefits.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

[Chris Santee]

11:30 a.m. flooding update

211:
Those homeowners who have suffered damage in the most recent floods are asked to call 2-1-1 to report that damage.

Current Road closures:
State Roads:

Route 302 in Berlin (Barre-Montpelier Road) - flooding
Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding
Route 2 in Plainfield (east of village) – flooding
Route 2 in Cabot - vicinity of Goodrich Maple Farm – culvert damage
Route 2 in E. Montpelier - vicinity Mekkelsen RV – flooding
Route 232 In Groton - flooding
Route 14 In Barre Town - vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding
Route 14 In Williamstown – flooding
Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls - flooding
Route 5 In Passumpsic – flooding
Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex - flooding
Route 64 in Williamstown from Route 14 to Construction Hill – flooding / undermining
Route 62 in Barre City from Main Street to Berlin Street
Route 14 in Williamstown Gulf – closed for repairs.

Several other local roads are closed; please respect all road closures.