RICHMOND, Vt. (WCAX) – The remnants of Hurricane Beryl hit our region Wednesday and Thursday, prompting evacuations, knocking out bridges and roads, and even washing away an apartment building. The disaster came a year to the day after catastrophic rainfall inundated parts of the state in 2023.
The governor will hold a news briefing at 10 a.m. to update Vermonters on the state’s response to the flooding. WCAX News will carry that live online and on the air.
In a statement Thursday morning, Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, said: “I know last night’s flooding – in many of the very same communities impacted on the same day last year – is devastating for these families, business owners and community members. My team, emergency responders and local leaders are working around the clock to help ensure public safety, and we will act as quickly as possible in recovery. We are Vermont Strong for a reason – and that means you will have many across the state standing with you.”
By Thursday morning, some roads were flooded, washed out or covered with debris. Some of the closures on Thursday morning included:
- Vermont State Police say the Interstate 89 Exit 11 off-ramp in Richmond is closed due to flooding.
- Route 2 is closed in spots across the state, including Richmond, Waterbury, Plainfield and Marshfield.
- Route 5 in Barnet is closed.
- Vermont Route 62 in downtown Barre is closed, as well as Route 100 in Waterbury and Moretown.
- The Lamoille County Sheriff is asking people in Stowe to avoid driving entirely, if possible.
- Brian Smith of the Derby Selectboard says the town lost a major culvert, closing Hinman Settler Road.
For the latest on road closures, you can visit New England 511.
WCAX News received reports of evacuations in Williamstown and on Route 5 in Lyndon.
Moretown is also under evacuation orders, and roads into the town were impassable as of early Thursday morning.
Downtown Barnet and the village of Passumpic have also been flooded.
Our Cam Smith was live in Richmond on Thursday morning, where he said Swiftwater Rescue was trying to get people out of their houses on Red Barn Lane overnight. According to officials, there have been over 40 rescues statewide.
And after getting inundated by water last year, the Central Vermont community is under the gun again. In Plainfield, our Sophia Thomas says Route 2 is already closed, and WCAX News has gotten reports of a building being swept away.
If the flooding concerns and heavy rain weren’t enough cause for concern, much of the region was under a tornado watch Wednesday night issued by the National Weather Service. There were numerous tornado warnings throughout the area, as well.
We have no confirmation of any tornados touching down in Vermont, but some viewers reported seeing what appeared to be a funnel cloud.
Share your flooding photos with us.
Again, for the latest on road closures, you can visit New England 511.
Vermont Emergency Management says shelters are open at the Barre Auditorium and Williamstown Middle/High School. They encourage people to register for Vermont Alert to receive the latest alerts.
A reminder to never walk through floodwaters because you don’t know how deep they are.
Click here for the latest forecast from the WCAX Max Advantage Weather Team.