Flash Flood — Washington, Vermont

2023-07-10 · near Roxbury, Washington, Vermont

Event narrative

Training showers and thunderstorms with heavy to torrential rainfall affected this area from the early morning to early afternoon hours on July 10, 2023. Observations and radar estimates show 3 to 6 inches of rain occurred, with localized amount to 7-8 inches. This lead to areas of significant flash flooding with numerous roads closed. The towns of Berlin, Williamstown, Roxbury and Middlesex were most impacted, with scattered reports elsewhere.

Wider weather episode

Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall affected Vermont from late afternoon of the 9th through the early morning hours on the 11th. During the roughly 36-hour period, 4 to as much as 9 inches of rain fell across much of the Green Mountains, leading to devastating flash and riverine flooding.

Major river flooding was observed in the Winooski, Lamoille and Otter Creek basins with moderate to major flooding in the White River basin. Severe river flooding occurred in the communities of Montpelier, Waterbury, Johnson, Cambridge and Woodstock. State estimated damage between July 7- July 21 was in the $400-500. Million range between flash flooding and the devastating major river flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.9393, -72.8080)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1110201. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.