Winooski suffers ‘very light flooding’ in Vermont’s catastrophic rainfall

Winooski Flood Hazard Areas Map, courtesy of Chittenden County RPC

Intense and rapid rainfall resulted in the flooding of farmland, town centers and households across Vermont this past week. With damages and losses surpassing those of 2011’s Hurricane Irene, the floods also set records, in a sense, through their rarity. The Washington Post recently detailed how there’s only a 1-in-100 likelihood of such severe flooding each year in Vermont, dubbing it a “100-year storm.” 

Counties in the central part of the state saw the brunt of the damaging flooding, but areas along the Winooski River were affected closer to the Onion City. Burlington’s Intervale Center, just downstream, suffered several feet of field flooding. Despite calling on emergency volunteer harvesters on Sunday, many of the remaining crops of the independent farmers and the nonprofit couldn’t be saved. An Instagram story of June Farm, a flower farm in the Intervale, featured snapshots of the crew canoeing in feet of water over their crops. 

As for Winooski itself, the city saw river water levels rise in the view past its downtown circle. The rainfall triggered minor flooding to the river’s bordering area. In an update to residents released Tuesday, City Manager Elaine Wang said the public safety and public works teams continue to monitor the water levels and that “very light flooding” had occurred along the banks of the river. 

“We ask that everyone use extreme caution and keep clear of any place near the Winooski River. Please do not congregate on the Burlington/Winooski River Bridge or other sensitive areas where public safety teams may need emergency access,” Wang said.

The city put up barricades lining the river banks, blocking off the Winooski River Walk, Winooski One Hydro Plant, Memorial Park and Casavant Natural Area in an effort to keep people a safe distance from the surging river. 

Some of the closed-off areas have been used as camping locations for unsheltered residents. But according to Jazmine Hurley, the city’s housing initiative director, it did not seem like anyone had to relocate due to the flooding. 

Hurley said in an email that “there was one small encampment that was still standing on Tuesday afternoon, but it was up and away from any flooding. Our police chief said he hasn’t seen/heard of any additional displacement due to flooding.”

In their message to the city, Wang listed resources available to Winooskians in staying updated with flood warnings as well as multilingual regulations and information regarding flood and rainfall safety. They can be found on the city’s website. 

“We are thankful for the swift and thorough statewide response to this emergency and are proud of the excellent service provided by our neighboring public safety and mutual aid agencies,” Wang said.