Flash Flood in Windham County, Vermont

The combination of heavy rainfall and the West River rising over its banks has led to flash flooding around the Town of Londonderry. Parts of town were evacuated and many of its highways (Vermont Routes 11 and 100) and local roads were impassable.

A strong upper-level system brought widespread rounds of showers and embedded thunderstorms to southern Vermont on July 9-11, 2023. The steadiest and heaviest rainfall occurred from the afternoon hours on July 9 through the morning hours on July 10. Rainfall totals generally ranged between 2.50 and 5.00 inches with some localized amounts of around 6 inches across the southern Green Mountains.

This rainfall resulted in areas of areal and flash flooding. The hardest hit area was in the Town of Londonderry as water flooded numerous roads and caused portions of the area to be inaccessible. Many other roadways across southern Vermont were closed due to flooding from the combination of heavy rainfall and rivers overflowing their banks. A few water rescues were also conducted to assist those in rising flood waters.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott declared a state of emergency on July 10 as a result of the flooding. President Joe Biden later approved a major disaster declaration for the state of Vermont.