Flood in Orange County, Vermont

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene caused flooding countywide in Orange County VT. Flooding along Wells River was extensive, isolating Wells River Village VT. Flooding along the Waits River caused widespread flooding through Corinth VT and downstream to Bradford VT.

Tropical Storm Irene moved across southeast New York and southwest New England during the morning hours of August 28th and then proceeded to track north along the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont during the afternoon and evening.

Strong to damaging winds in excess of 60 mph was observed within several miles of Lake Champlain in northwest Vermont as well as exposed higher terrain in southern Vermont and wind gusts approaching 50 mph downed trees elsewhere in Vermont during the afternoon hours. A peak wind gust of 85 mph was measured at the summit of Mount Mansfield (4400 ft - Lamoille county). Approximately 100,000 customers were without power during the storm.

The main, devastating impact from Irene was widespread, devastating flooding, especially for central and southern Vermont. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches occurred across Vermont with 5 to 7+ inches across much of southern, central Vermont and elevations above 1000 feet along the spine of Vermont's Green Mountains and the Worcester range.

Devastating flash flooding occurred across much of central and southern Vermont mountain valleys with substantial and some record breaking flood stages on larger rivers.

This flood event will likely rank second to the November 1927 flood in the scope of meteorological and hydrological conditions/impacts as well as loss of life (84 in 1927), but likely first in monetary damage ((approx $500. million statewide vs $350. million (1927 in 2010 dollars)). There were nearly 2400 roads, 800 homes/businesses, 300 bridges and a half dozen railroad tracks destroyed or damaged from the flooding caused by Irene.