By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR COUNTY, Vt. — Adrianna Kremer of the National Weather Service and Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Services are warning that an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected by Friday.
Kremer said the National Weather Service said that while the main focus now is on Northern Vermont, the Service is still being cautious about south central Vermont which has open wounds caused from overflowing rivers and flash flooding on Monday.
A flood watch has been issued for most of the region, Kremer said.
“We are trying to be proactive about it and get that messaging out now,” she said.
Flash flooding is a possibility Kremer said.
Mark Bosma of Vermont Emergency Services said they are working round the clock preparing for potential repeat scenarios of Monday statewide.
“We’re already operating 24 hours a day,” he said.
Teams are staging in areas where the National Weather Service believes the heaviest rain will fall.
“We will stage close to those areas just like we did Sunday,” Bosma said.
He said it is important that residents continue to follow warnings.
“We keep preaching the same thing, we really want people to stay away from floodwaters. … Do not a cross a flooded road or any flooded surface because it’s likely — especially now — there’s a washout underneath and the water can sweep the car away.” Bosma said.
“We had a couple of those situations during the last round of flooding. The road looks fine, but you can’t see in the water and the currents can be strong.”
Bosma advises residents “prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
“If they’re in flood prone area maybe get some of their belongings on the higher ground — like lawn mowers and things that could possibly pollute the water… Chart out an evacuation route that takes them over high ground. Also, it’s better to evacuate early than when it’s too late,” Bosma said.
If you have time, he advises residents to turn their power off so they don’t have to deal with wet, live wires when they return.
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