Flash flooding prompts evacuations in Northeast Kingdom

ST JOHNSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Flash flooding overnight caused road washouts and prompted evacuations in parts of the Northeast Kingdom.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for towns in the Northeast Kingdom until 1 p.m. Tuesday for Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties.

Vermont Emergency Management officials say 10 swift-water rescue teams have conducted approximately two dozen rescues from flooded areas and that they remain on call.

Officials say several homes were destroyed in Lyndon and multiple cars were under water in East Burke. There is an ongoing Shelter-in-Place order in St. Johnsbury and Lyndon, There was no immediate word of injuries.

St. Johnsbury received more than eight inches of rain Monday night, breaking all previous records, and more rain was in the forecast for Tuesday.

The driveway of Morrison’s Feed Bag on Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury was severly damaged by floodwaters. The store also tens of thousands of dollars worth of supplies. “I was on the phone my wife this morning — she’s in tears — this is her main business up here. This is her livelihood,” said store co-owner Earl Morrison. He says they are working to bring animal feed from another location. He says they also lost some $50,000 in inventory at their Barnet store in the floods earlier this month.

Witnesses reported a portion of the newly completed Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in St. Johnsbury appears to have been washed away a mile west of the end of the trail.

Lyndon was among those communities hard hit by flooding three weeks ago and witnesses say some of those same residents and businesses were hit again by the current deluge.

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There are numerous road closures, including Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury, Route 2 east of Route 18, and Route 5 south of the State Police Barracks.

For the latest updates on road closures, you can visit New England 511.

OFFICIALS URGE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Vermont officials are urging those in flood-impacted areas to take basic safety precautions.

That includes turning off electrical power when there is standing water or fallen power lines. Don’t attempt to walk or drive through water, even if it seems safe. Move to higher ground as soon as you see water rising near your house. Dial 211 to find a shelter near you. And after water levels go down, make sure to test your water for contamination.

We have reporters on the ground in flood-impacted communities to provide an update on a Channel 3 News at Noon special report.