TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN

If you are on the roads during the rain (try to avoid being on the roads), remember TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. Innocent-looking water may be flowing over holes where the road used to be – or may be deep and fast enough to wash you away even if the road is still there. DO NOT RISK IT.

A portion of rte 4 in VT, Before (left) and After (right) tropical storm Irene.
Image Source: VT Emergency Management

Many of the repairs thus far are temporary earth berms over which emergency and repair crews can drive to access affected areas. Many under-cut roads have been shored up temporarily, but are not fully repaired.

The already saturated soil, the eroded embankments, and the temporary state of many repairs means that flash flooding may lead to seriously dangerous roads, again.

Stock up on necessities, and be prepared to be without access to food, water, and the outside world for a few days. If you’re in a spot where flooding could put you in danger, consider leaving before the rains start.

This round of storms is supposed to hit the northern half of the state, but the waters will flow to the ravaged southern areas. This means roads that were not affected last weekend may be affected this weekend.

Please be VERY careful, and good luck.