Woodstock Early Bird has just gotten off the ringy-dingy with two Woodstock Emergency Services personnel who were just at the Taftsville Covered Bridge. They report it is still standing and appearing to be intact (it’s dark and this is not an engineering assessment, mind you) despite reports that it was being knocked around a bit by both the Ottauquechee River floodwaters and those dozens of propane and heating fuel tanks that were propelling themselves downstream from West Woodstock.
28 Aug
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 
Posted by Tambrey on August 28, 2011 at 20:59
That is good news…have you heard anything about Quechee gorge being backed up with the propane cylinders and closed off? The Quechee covered bridge washing away has just left me breathless…;-(
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Posted by Joe Stevens on August 28, 2011 at 21:00
I hope it is still standing in the morning! Spend the best times of my life on around and under that bridge!
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Posted by sari on August 28, 2011 at 21:00
Unbelievable
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Posted by J Bragdon on August 28, 2011 at 21:00
Thank you for keeping us posted, Julia! You seem to be the only news source for our little valley! Have you heard any news of the White Cottage? Someone said that it had been swept away. Is that true?
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Posted by Liliana on August 28, 2011 at 21:19
Thank you Julia…you are the only source of news! Anyone know if 106 flooded over toward South Woodstock…my little house had water creeping up on it from all sides.
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Posted by Tambrey on August 28, 2011 at 21:22
The Kedron is still raging across from my house near Folding Hills Rd but so far hasn’t jumped over into the road here…not sure about further South. It is definitely flooded in reading, Weathersfield and in Woodstock Village ;-(
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Posted by Liliana on August 28, 2011 at 21:44
Oh thank you very much for responding….glad to hear you are still dry!
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Posted by elisabeth on August 28, 2011 at 21:35
River still raging by the KVI/South Woodstock Store but not over the road. It is getting windy out here though. GMHA is flooded over from what I’ve heard.
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Posted by Liliana on August 28, 2011 at 21:46
Thank you for letting me know. I am at the Braeside,,,and lucky to be here. It sure was scary this afternoon
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Posted by Ed Sharron on August 28, 2011 at 21:22
Thanks fot keeping us posted, Julia. Glad ot hear thar bridge is taking a licking but still standing!
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Posted by Sad Quechee Resident on August 28, 2011 at 21:26
sad to see the Quechee bridge go, but that was a “reproduction” bridge, if you will, and only 45 years old if memory serves (I remember when it’s predecessor failed). the Taftsville bridge is truly an old covered bridge; glad to see it survived; hope it can be saved after the engineering reviews.
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Posted by jessica on August 28, 2011 at 21:32
oh i have also been trying to get more information about the gorge and the white cottage actually, will continue to check back. your blog has been quite helpful for those of us who don’t live in woodstock anymore trying to get some information on what is going on there – so sad and so incredible. this is leaving so many speechless at the amount of destruction.
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Posted by Sally Barngrove on August 28, 2011 at 21:35
Any news from south of Woodstock? Along route 106 into the Reading area? And Brownsville? Is it just the minor streams that are now flooding?
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Posted by Keri Bristow on August 28, 2011 at 21:38
Any information on the water situation in Woodstock?
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Posted by gareth on August 28, 2011 at 21:43
definitely.. videos i never thought i would be seeing out of woodstock
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Posted by D on August 28, 2011 at 21:46
Any news on the water situation?
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Posted by J Bragdon on August 28, 2011 at 21:57
I heard that Village water was out late this afternoon but would be restored soon.
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Posted by Tambrey on August 28, 2011 at 21:59
Starting to hear the Taftsville Bridge might not have made it…anybody know for sure? Also wondering about White Cottage..praying everyone is safe wherever they are-it’s not over yet
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Posted by jacqui on August 28, 2011 at 22:18
I was wondering if anyone has been into Bridgewater? I heard there was no way of getting into town at all.
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Posted by Irene ( I know...spare me! ) on August 28, 2011 at 22:29
Water still out here in Woodstock….probably back on in the morning…. water in the street mostly drained down the storm gutters but deep standing water in many yards… water level in the creeks and rivers still at max height – 😦
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Posted by Jackie on August 28, 2011 at 22:29
Any word on Billings Farm?
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Posted by Ed Sharron on August 28, 2011 at 22:57
I am across the street from the BF. Last I saw (6:00 PM) was some significant flooding of their corn fields where they border the Ottauqueechee, but all buldings were far from flood waters. The real damage is where the Barnard Brook passes under the bridge to their administration bulidings. The bridge was at leat partially washed out buy the flooding.
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Posted by ruth Wilson on August 28, 2011 at 22:51
Bartonsville Covered Bridge in VT is gone. There’s a video on you tube of it being washed away. Bridges in NY, NH, VT and Pa have all been lost. The historic covered bridge in Arlington VT at Norman Rocmwells home is off its abutments and being held there by guide wires. That would be a huge loss. Very sad day!!
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Posted by PeteC on August 28, 2011 at 23:31
Does anybody know if Quechee main street is open/passable to get up on Willard rd (where our house is)? We’re coming up from DC/NYC and would hate to get turned back at the last mile. Please help with info if you can 🙂 Thanks!
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Posted by Sandy Stark on August 28, 2011 at 23:50
Peter, As of an hour and a half ago Main St. was closed by the Quechee bridge. Maybe they have created a pass through by now. Willard is washed out on one side but open. If you do get in be careful. Regards, Sandy Stark
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Posted by Sophia Lloyd on August 28, 2011 at 23:43
You rock Julia! This coverage is a godsend. I just moved out to California a month and a half ago from Woodstock and just discovered your blog today while frantically searching for news of home. Keep it coming and stay safe! We’re thinking of you.
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Posted by Raymond F. Pittam on August 28, 2011 at 23:58
It deeply saddens me when ever an old work of art such as a covered bridge is removed from our earth. As a young man I hitch hiked from St. Joseph, Missouri and crossed every listed and several unlisted covered bridges all over the U. S. A. I have built several wood bridge models and made several miniature Landscape 3 X D wall hangings of covered bridges as well as old mills and farm scenes. I love that culture and the Victorian and Colonial style of structures.
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Posted by Ernie on August 29, 2011 at 00:45
Hi–I’m writing from California but my kids are visiting from your area. I know it’s early am there but does anyone know for certain if the Taffsville bridge is still standing?
Thanks for your site.
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Posted by Lora wise on August 29, 2011 at 00:58
I walked down through riverside cemetery around 5 pm and had a clear view of white cottage and it was still standing, although pretty damaged, of course. The waters were receding at that time but still raging. From the other side of that flooded area it did look like it was gone, but it was there.
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Posted by Blair on August 29, 2011 at 03:55
Does anyone know if the Lincoln covered bridge in West Woodstock is still standing?
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Posted by francis dietz on August 29, 2011 at 06:27
God, I hope it made it through the night. I spent my childhood on, under, and around that bridge!
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Posted by Dianne on August 29, 2011 at 08:19
Julia…..Please post info about how we can help those who were evacuated or have lost there homes….Also would be great to know if local churches are providing any meals.
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Posted by Marcos on August 29, 2011 at 08:51
I am so saddened by what i have seen and read here. I have spent every anniversary in quechee with my wife she cried last night watching the videos and know the area so well. I am praying for all the wonderful residents safety and hope all can rebuild.
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Posted by Margaret on August 29, 2011 at 09:40
as of this morning, the word is that the Taftsville bridge is standing, thank goodness. But roads near it are closed.
The question about churches is a good one. My church probably can’t as water came right up to it.
Alos, I’ve heard that town water has not been restored as of 10:0 today. There is still quite an aroma of propane and gasoline in the air; no one has commented on that…..
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Posted by Gretchen Dietz on August 29, 2011 at 13:05
I’m with you, Joe Stevens, sure hope it’s still standing. That’s an icon of my childhood and many happy moments and memories are of that bridge and the river road. I can’t bear to think of it being gone.
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Posted by Irene ( Irene...I know...spare me! ) on August 29, 2011 at 16:30
Woodstock Farmers Market next to White Cottage was digging out around noon…. it took quite a hit but I believe they could be up and running in days or weeks if they can get new coolers or salvage the ones they had…
White Cottage was not so lucky……most Route 4 in front of it…along with the majority of the parking lot no longer exists…the building is there but no longer structurally in tact……and what was once a picnic area down by the river there has been filled with mud and debris almost to the height of Route 4
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Posted by Linda on August 29, 2011 at 16:41
Is the covered bridge in East Arlington the same one mentioned above? It’s just down the road from Roaring Branch log cabins.
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on August 30, 2011 at 18:07
Woodstock Early Bird does not know anything about the Chiselville Bridge or the Arlington Bridge. We are in Woodstock. The Middle Covered Bridge across from the Green is fine, The Iron Bridge over Elm Street is fine, the Taftsville Covered Bridge is standing fine although it is closed. The Quechee Bridge is obviously destroyed although partially standing. Also the Lincoln Bridge in West Woodstock is standing but the Iron Bridge beyond it is not.
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Posted by Stephanie from GA on August 29, 2011 at 23:49
My family is from VT, we now live in GA. Please know we are praying for you all and for the beautiful covered bridges. We spent the first half of June photographing our 5 year old son in front of every bridge we could find, including the ones on Woodstock and Quechee. Seeing even one lost to Irene is heartbreaking. Vermonters are wonderful people, I know you’ll pull together and thrive! God bless and be safe.
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Posted by Swan on August 30, 2011 at 18:43
Has anyone heard about the Prince and the Pauper?
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Posted by Julia Carlisle on August 31, 2011 at 13:01
It has been compromised for the moment. No water. No electric. But the building appears fine from the outside.
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Posted by beavers on August 31, 2011 at 17:48
what is the situation in newberg vt after the flooding
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Posted by Marian Petrides on September 4, 2011 at 18:13
Glad to hear the Taftsville Covered Bridge is intact!
FWIW, the Waitsfield Covered Bridge (just off Rte 100 in Waitsfield) is also intact, although it remains closed until it can be inspected. The white house (former barber shop, photography studio) next to the bridge floated away, however. 😦
The demise of the Bartonsville Covered Bridge makes me so very sad. :-((((
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