Flash Flood — Washington, Vermont

2025-05-17 · near Montpelier Jct, Washington, Vermont

Event narrative

Several reports of roads closed due to flash flooding and/or debris on roadways in the Montpelier and East Montpelier areas. This includes, but is not limited to U.S. Route 2 near the Pioneer St. Bridge and U.S. Route 14.

Wider weather episode

A weak area of low pressure and associated front moved across northern NY and Vermont during the afternoon and evening hours of May 17th. This system moved across a relatively unstable airmass across the region that resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms.

Some of the thunderstorms were severe with damaging winds and large hail upward of golf ball size (1.75 inches diameter). In addition there was heavy rain and some training of thunderstorms that quickly produced 2 to 3 inches of rain. some of these areas had actually witnessed 1/2 to 1+ inches of rain the preceding day, making it more vulnerable to flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.2524, -72.6141)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1246470. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.