Tropical Storm Irene ripped through Vermont on Sunday, August 28, 2011 and we are still seeing the effects many years later. Houses were washed away, businesses demolished, irreplaceable personal items… gone. Flooding destroyed roads, farms were decimated and the environment was severely impacted by this tragic and massive flood in Vermont. These striking images show just how severe the damage was to our beloved state.
Route 4 / Route 100 South of Killington was completely destroyed.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone, which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011.
Digging out from the floodwaters in West Bridgewater.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 56 deaths. Damage estimates throughout the United States are estimated near $15.6 billion, which made it the seventh costliest hurricane in United States history.
A destroyed house in Rochester, VT.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Route 4 / Route 100 South of Killington from a distance.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Vermont declared a state of emergency on August 27, in preparation for the hurricane’s arrival. In a joint statement, Vermont electric utilities announced that they planned to have extra staff on hand, but no one knew how hard Irene would hit.
Bill Lockwood of Charlotte, Vermont in his Suburban on US Route 2.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT His diesel Chevy Suburban with a makeshift snorkel fords about 30" of water.
After the crossing water drained from all four doors.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
The vast snowmobile bridge near Waterbury flexes as debris and water rush past.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Additional damage on Route 4 / Route 100.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT The National Weather Service stated that it anticipated 2 - 7 inches throughout Vermont, with the risk of flooding near streams and rivers as well as significant tree damage and damage to power lines.
Route 4 / Route 100 South of Killington eaten up by fast flowing waters.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
A submerged garage and vehicles just outside Waterbury.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT In fact, some parts of Vermont got up to 11 inches of rain in 24 hours. The flooding in Vermont from the storm was severe in many areas.
Cars and a tractor look like toys from the air as they are jumbled about and buried in sand and silt.
Photo Credit: Mansfield Helifllight
Route 100 near Killington.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT We are used to bad weather in Vermont, but the damage caused from this storm was beyond imaginable. Almost every river and stream in Vermont flooded, resulting in six deaths.
Behind this sign was a house for sale - no trace of it remains.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Some people exit their property by canoe as they paddle past a submerged full-size truck.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT In Wilmington, the flood level of the Deerfield River east branch reportedly exceeded levels measured during the 1938 New England hurricane – the only other tropical cyclone to make a direct hit on Vermont in the state’s recorded history.
A makeshift walking bridge allows access to Route 100.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Throughout Vermont, numerous covered bridges, many over 100 years old, were damaged or destroyed.
A clean break in the road leaves this section of Route 100 impassible and abandoned.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT More than 500 miles of roads and 200 bridges were damaged or destroyed.
A destroyed house in Rochester, VT.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
A backhoe works to repair a huge washout just outside Pittsfield.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Extensive road damage resulted in the isolation of nearly a dozen rural towns that would require helicopter air-lifts of necessities in the days immediately following the storm.
Route 4 between Killington, VT and Mendon, VT. Huge chunks of highway had turned into 20’ cliffs.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Irene decimated multiple sections of U.S. Route 4 between Rutland and Quechee, making east/west travel through the southern part of state nearly impossible.
A barn and equipment just off Route 2.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Collapsed base lodge at Killington Ski Area.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT The resort town of Killington as well as neighboring Pittsfield were among over a dozen communities that were cut off from the outside world, some for several days.
Standing floodwater remained in the East Pittsford, Vermont area on Wednesday, 4 days after the storm.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
A woman waves up as she works to clean and dry her home on Wednesday near Pittsfield.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Relief concerts were organized by local Vermont bands such as Phish and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
Sections of Route 100 destroyed.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT By December the state was recovering more quickly than originally expected.
A residence in West Bridgewater.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Route 4 between Killington, and Mendon.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT Within a month of the storm 84 of 118 closed sections of state highway, and 28 of 34 bridges, had been reopened.
In Waitsfield, Vermont three structures are emptied of wet belongings on Wednesday.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Headed south on Route 100 from Middlesex. Notice the washed out bridge.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT One year after the tragic storm New York Daily News estimated the damages at $733 million and 117,000 residents who lost power.
While no one can forget how this storm and its massive flood in Vermont devastated our state, it is also important to remember how communities banded together and friends and neighbors tirelessly assisted in repairing the damage and helping in whatever ways they could.
Photo credit: MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT
Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone, which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011.
Throughout its path, Irene caused widespread destruction and at least 56 deaths. Damage estimates throughout the United States are estimated near $15.6 billion, which made it the seventh costliest hurricane in United States history.
Vermont declared a state of emergency on August 27, in preparation for the hurricane’s arrival. In a joint statement, Vermont electric utilities announced that they planned to have extra staff on hand, but no one knew how hard Irene would hit.
His diesel Chevy Suburban with a makeshift snorkel fords about 30" of water.
The National Weather Service stated that it anticipated 2 - 7 inches throughout Vermont, with the risk of flooding near streams and rivers as well as significant tree damage and damage to power lines.
In fact, some parts of Vermont got up to 11 inches of rain in 24 hours. The flooding in Vermont from the storm was severe in many areas.
Photo Credit: Mansfield Helifllight
We are used to bad weather in Vermont, but the damage caused from this storm was beyond imaginable. Almost every river and stream in Vermont flooded, resulting in six deaths.
In Wilmington, the flood level of the Deerfield River east branch reportedly exceeded levels measured during the 1938 New England hurricane – the only other tropical cyclone to make a direct hit on Vermont in the state’s recorded history.
Throughout Vermont, numerous covered bridges, many over 100 years old, were damaged or destroyed.
More than 500 miles of roads and 200 bridges were damaged or destroyed.
Extensive road damage resulted in the isolation of nearly a dozen rural towns that would require helicopter air-lifts of necessities in the days immediately following the storm.
Irene decimated multiple sections of U.S. Route 4 between Rutland and Quechee, making east/west travel through the southern part of state nearly impossible.
The resort town of Killington as well as neighboring Pittsfield were among over a dozen communities that were cut off from the outside world, some for several days.
Relief concerts were organized by local Vermont bands such as Phish and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
By December the state was recovering more quickly than originally expected.
Within a month of the storm 84 of 118 closed sections of state highway, and 28 of 34 bridges, had been reopened.
One year after the tragic storm New York Daily News estimated the damages at $733 million and 117,000 residents who lost power.
Are there other natural disasters in Vermont that you remember? The massive flood in Vermont from Hurricane Irene is not something Vermonters will soon forget. Share your thoughts with us by leaving your stories and comments below. We want to hear from you.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
massive flood in Vermont August 24, 2020 Luke What is the safest place to live in Vermont? According to FBI crime statistics of Vermont cities and towns, these are the safest places to live in Vermont: 1. Hartford, Vermont. With a population of roughly 10,000 inhabitants, the town of Hartford only recorded 8 violent crimes in 2019. 2. Randolph, Vermont. Another incredibly safe city in Vermont, Randolph only had 4 violent crimes last year. 3. Northfield, Vermont. Also recording only 4 violent crimes, Randolph is a very safe place in Vermont. It also needs saying, that Vermont is one of the safest states in the U.S., and many other towns and cities could very well be listed at the top of any list of safest places in Vermont. What are the worst things about living in Vermont? Vermont is a wonderful place to live, but every state has some negative components to it. So here are a few of the worst things about living in Vermont: 1. It can be frightfully cold in the winter, and our winters can last half a year, no joke. 2. If you want nightlife and other popular city activities, Vermont doesn’t rank so well in comparison to other states. 3. Vermont can be rather expensive to live in. Rent prices, groceries, and real-estate can all be on the pricier side. But these negative aspects pale in comparison to the reasons why living in Vermont is amazing (read below). What are the best things about living in Vermont? We cannot even count all the great things on one hand. But a few that come to mind are: access to pristine and natural areas and parks, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware residents, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life. Vermont is a delightful place to reside if you don’t mind living in a small city or little town, which for us, is one of the best reasons to live in Vermont – no large cities. If you love nature and want to live a healthy life, Vermont is one of the best places to live in the U.S., period.
The OIYS Visitor Center
massive flood in Vermont
August 24, 2020
Luke
What is the safest place to live in Vermont? According to FBI crime statistics of Vermont cities and towns, these are the safest places to live in Vermont: 1. Hartford, Vermont. With a population of roughly 10,000 inhabitants, the town of Hartford only recorded 8 violent crimes in 2019. 2. Randolph, Vermont. Another incredibly safe city in Vermont, Randolph only had 4 violent crimes last year. 3. Northfield, Vermont. Also recording only 4 violent crimes, Randolph is a very safe place in Vermont. It also needs saying, that Vermont is one of the safest states in the U.S., and many other towns and cities could very well be listed at the top of any list of safest places in Vermont. What are the worst things about living in Vermont? Vermont is a wonderful place to live, but every state has some negative components to it. So here are a few of the worst things about living in Vermont: 1. It can be frightfully cold in the winter, and our winters can last half a year, no joke. 2. If you want nightlife and other popular city activities, Vermont doesn’t rank so well in comparison to other states. 3. Vermont can be rather expensive to live in. Rent prices, groceries, and real-estate can all be on the pricier side. But these negative aspects pale in comparison to the reasons why living in Vermont is amazing (read below). What are the best things about living in Vermont? We cannot even count all the great things on one hand. But a few that come to mind are: access to pristine and natural areas and parks, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware residents, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life. Vermont is a delightful place to reside if you don’t mind living in a small city or little town, which for us, is one of the best reasons to live in Vermont – no large cities. If you love nature and want to live a healthy life, Vermont is one of the best places to live in the U.S., period.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
According to FBI crime statistics of Vermont cities and towns, these are the safest places to live in Vermont: 1. Hartford, Vermont. With a population of roughly 10,000 inhabitants, the town of Hartford only recorded 8 violent crimes in 2019. 2. Randolph, Vermont. Another incredibly safe city in Vermont, Randolph only had 4 violent crimes last year. 3. Northfield, Vermont. Also recording only 4 violent crimes, Randolph is a very safe place in Vermont. It also needs saying, that Vermont is one of the safest states in the U.S., and many other towns and cities could very well be listed at the top of any list of safest places in Vermont.
What are the worst things about living in Vermont?
Vermont is a wonderful place to live, but every state has some negative components to it. So here are a few of the worst things about living in Vermont: 1. It can be frightfully cold in the winter, and our winters can last half a year, no joke. 2. If you want nightlife and other popular city activities, Vermont doesn’t rank so well in comparison to other states. 3. Vermont can be rather expensive to live in. Rent prices, groceries, and real-estate can all be on the pricier side. But these negative aspects pale in comparison to the reasons why living in Vermont is amazing (read below).
What are the best things about living in Vermont?
We cannot even count all the great things on one hand. But a few that come to mind are: access to pristine and natural areas and parks, organic and healthy food, environmentally and socially aware residents, friendly locals, and a relaxed and casual way of life. Vermont is a delightful place to reside if you don’t mind living in a small city or little town, which for us, is one of the best reasons to live in Vermont – no large cities. If you love nature and want to live a healthy life, Vermont is one of the best places to live in the U.S., period.
