Floodwaters are bringing fresh pain to Vermont communities that were just beginning to recover

They say history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.

The flooding that began Wednesday night — on the exact anniversary of last year’s devastating floods and in some of the same communities, the same roads, the same farms, the same homes — rhymed with cruel precision.

Storms ripped diagonally across the northern half of the state from Addison County to Essex County.

Up to 6 inches of rain fell in some areas, and rivers overflowed into homes that people had re-engaged, by choice or necessity, after the latest floods. The waters destroyed bridges, lawns and newly restored paths.

Dozens of people and pets were rescued from their homes and vehicles in Berlin, Underhill, Barre, Richmond, Middlesex, Northfield, Moretown, Greensboro, Lyndon and Stowe, including 50 people in Lyndonville.

An apartment building in Plainfield was mostly swept away.

A 33-year-old Peacham man died, police said, after a culvert was breached and his UTV was swept away.

Public water sources were affected; Lyndonville fought a liquor ban notice, and in Barnet, Plainfield, St. Johnsbury and Barre City were boiling water notices.

As the waters receded, volunteer groups that formed after last year’s floods sprang into action again, knowing all too well how to pump and remove mud.

And in Vermont they again considered the reality of extreme rain events largely tied to fossil fuel burning and the kinds of development patterns and river morphology that can make flooding worse.

By evening, all river gauges that had recorded major flood stage indicated receding waters, with the exception of the Winooski River at Essex Junction, which was beginning to slow.

Caledonia County remains under a flood warning until the early hours of Friday morning.

The National Weather Service in Burlington said flooded roads will cut off towns like East Burke, West Burke, Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury. And the homes and businesses on Route 5 along the Passumpsic River from Lyndonville to St. Johnsbury are expected to flood.

Live Updates: Find the latest flood information on Vermont Public’s live blog

Safety and resources

Important safety information:

• Shelters are open in Barre (Barre Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill) and St. Johnsbury (St. Johnsbury School, 257 Western Ave.).
• Please respect road closures and do not attempt to drive or walk through flooded areas.
• Rivers are fast flowing and contain debris. They are unsafe for swimming and recreation.

Links to key resources:

Samantha Watson and Lola Duffort contributed reporting.

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