For Immediate Release
May 25, 2013
8:30 p.m.
Contact: Susan Allen, 802-279-8493
Mark Bosma, 800-347-0488
Gov. Shumlin, emergency officials announce flood warnings, update on power outages
WATERBURY – Gov. Peter Shumlin and Joe Flynn, director of the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, tonight advised Vermonters that rain is still falling across the state and rivers and streams continue to rise.
The National Weather Service has issued Flood Warnings for Chittenden, Lamoille, extreme southern Franklin, Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties and Flood Watches for most of Vermont.
In addition, utility companies were warning of power outages due in large part to snowfall at higher elevations.
The Vermont Emergency Operations Center is staffed and will remain open for state emergency staff until conditions improve.
As of 8 p.m. tonight, Vermont Route 128 in Essex and the Maidstone state highway were closed due to water over the roadways.
Further road closures are possible and crews from the Vermont Agency of Transportation are ready to respond.
In addition, Green Mountain Power Corporation was reporting just under 3,000 power outages, with Vermont Electric Co-Op and Washington Electric Co-Op also reporting scattered outages.
If you lose power and use a generator, only run it outdoors in a well-ventilated area. If you see a downed power line, do not go near it and treat all power lines as if they are live.
The Vermont State Police also report concerns with a Beaver Dam above 238 Poker Hill Road in Underhill. Water is building up there but has not released and no breach is imminent. Local fire departments and the State Police are monitoring and will alert local residents of protective actions if conditions dictate.
Heavy wet snow is also falling in the higher elevations of the state and the National Weather Service says snow loading could bring down tree limbs and power transmission lines. There have been a number of power outages throughout the state as a result and utilities have been working to restore service to hit areas and are making good progress.
For an up to date picture please visit http://www.vtoutages.com.
You can get more information via Facebook:
DEMHS: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement
VTrans: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VTrans/143848835653728
Vermont State Police: https://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice
Forecast sites:
National Weather Service Burlington: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/
National Weather Service Albany (Bennington and Windham county forecast office): http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/btv/
For road conditions call 5-1-1 or visit 511vt.com.
For shelter information or other personal assistance and resources call 2-1-1; 2-1-1 is a service of the United Way.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 