Police cruiser accident in Monkton

Governor Phil Scott and state officials are providing a press briefing on the State’s ongoing response to flooding in Vermont communities today at 10 AM at the Agency of Transportation Dill Building in Berlin.

The briefing is available to the general public on the Governor’s Facebook page and several other Vermont media outlets. The governor is expected to provide a damage and traffic update, state and local responses underway, and an overview of short-term assistance available to flood victims.

To date there are no known fatalities from the July 10 flooding, the second consecutive year in which Vermont has seen major flooding on this date.

Cop in cruiser plunges 30 ft. down embankment – A Bristol police officer was sent to the hospital for precautionary measures following a flood-related accident.

State Police say that shortly before midnight, Officer Armin Nukic was traveling north on Silver Street in Monkton during heavy rain and flooding roadways. Nukic came upon powerlines and a pole that were down and across the road. In his attempts to avoid colliding with the downed powerlines, the cruiser went onto the shoulder of the northbound lane, which due to the heavy rain and flowing water gave way.

The cruiser rolled 30 feet down the embankment. Officer Nukic was able to exit the vehicle. The cruiser sustained damage to the sides and roof. Officer Nukic was transported to Porter Medical Center as a precaution and later released.

Known details of statewide flood impact as of 9:30 AM –

Rainfall was heaviest in Hinesburg, at 6.5″, according to WDEV weatherman Roger Hill. The thunder/lightning/rainstorm (with a reported tornado) moved west to east, dropping 3-4″ yesterday and overnight on southern Lamoille, Washington County, and Caledonia Counties.

Flooding along the Barre/Berlin/Montpelier/Middlesex/Waterbury river corridor occurred last night in downtown Barre along Main Street, with the heaviest concentration from City Hall Park (“the statue”) to the former Times Argus building about a half mile west. First floors of some buildings were flooded, as were many basements. The flood waters were observed by one Main Street, Barre resident to recede at about 10:30 PM.

As of 10:15 AM this morning, eyewitness reports say most Main Street, Barre businesses, including dining operations like Si Aku Ramen and Simply Subs and others, are open. Enough Ministries is reportedly serving lunch from its Washington Street location.

Downtown Montpelier was spared the flooding that crippled it last year. Driving down State and Main Streets at 6:20 AM this morning, the Chronicle saw that the handful of sandbags placed at front doors by many downtown business owners have (so far, at least) turned out to be a prudent, but unnecessary, precaution.

The Rte. 100/Rte. 2 rotary in Waterbury was reportedly closed this morning due to flooding. So were some roads in Stowe. Flooding was heavy near the Positive Pie building in Plainfield. A culvert reportedly installed after last year’s flood was washed out and seen lying in the middle of a fast-moving Brook in Middlesex. RTE. 100 is Moretown is closed.

The Hardwick Gazette reports flooding and road closures.

The Journal-Opinion reports that Route 302 between Route 25 and West Groton is closed due to multiple washouts this morning. Photos posted to social media also show road damage on 302 east of Groton village and in Groton State Forest.

The majority of state highway closures are in central Vermont and in Caledonia County. Shelters were open this morning in Barre and Williamstown.

“This is worse than Irene,” Barnet Fire Chief Ronald Morse told the Caledonian-Record. BFD was busy as it conducted six rescues from homes threatened by rising water.

Groton also ordered evacuations in the village, according to VTDigger.

A flood warning had been issued for the Connecticut River in Wells River until late this afternoon.

More coverage coming – Reporters Mike Bielawski will provide an update on his hometown of Plainfield later this morning. Paul Bean will cover the Governor’s press conference.

State emergency official Mark Bosma issued this statement this morning:

Many rivers are still at flood stage and will be until later Thursday, so everyone should remain vigilant and stay away from floodwaters.

Vermont’s Urban Search and Rescue teams and the Vermont National Guard are in the field assisting communities with rescues and evacuations. Additional swiftwater rescue assets are being brought in from out of state.

There have been several evacuations and road closures around the state due to flash flooding, primarily in central Vermont. Vermonters and visitors are encouraged to respect all closed roads and detours, as travel on those roads is not safe due to washouts and undermining. You should never drive or walk through floodwaters.

Rivers and streams are running high and fast, with debris running through them. For the foreseeable future, they will be unsafe for swimming and other recreation.

Shelters:

Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill, Barre

Williamstown Middle/High School, 120 Hebert Rd, Williamstown

Road Closures:

Visit https://newengland511.org/ for state road closures. Local road closures are not reported to the state; please respect all local detours. Vermonters and visitors are encouraged to watch the forecast and register for Vermont Alert (www.vtalert.gov) for up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts.

The State Emergency Operations Center has been open since Wednesday afternoon to assist towns with resource needs.

Flood safety and preparedness (multi-language): https://vem.vermont.gov/preparedness/floods.

Vermont Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement

NWS Albany social media: https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/ or https://twitter.com/NWSAlbany

NWS Burlington social media: https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington or https://twitter.com/NWSBurlington