Flood Warning Issued for Caledonia County, VT as Ice Jam Triggers Evacuations in St. Johnsbury

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT has issued a Flood Warning for Caledonia County in northeast Vermont. The alert is effective immediately and remains in place until 7:00 PM EDT on Thursday, March 12.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts Caledonia County. Emergency Management has reported significant flooding in St. Johnsbury, particularly near the intersection of the Passumpsic and Moose Rivers. Evacuations are currently underway for residents on Elm Street and Concord Avenue.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected area should avoid flooded roads and low-lying locations. The National Weather Service advises: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” as most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. If you are in a flood-prone area or near the identified ice jam, remain vigilant for sudden water rises.

Expected Conditions

Flooding is being caused by an ice jam at the confluence of the Passumpsic and Moose Rivers. While approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches of rain have already fallen, no additional rainfall is expected. However, the primary hazard remains the ice jam; any sudden release of the ice could result in a rapid rise in water levels, leading to flash flooding in rivers, creeks, and streams.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is scheduled to expire at 7:00 PM EDT this evening. Flooding impacts are expected to continue until the ice jam stabilizes or clears.