Water level is really high at Joe's Pond this morning. If you are not at your cottage, have someone reliable check on it, if they can. Boat ties need to be loosened so they can rise with the water - and hopefully go back down without getting caught on anything when the water recedes, and anything loose near the shore line needs to be secured.

Last night the State Police were warning people in low areas about the pond rising and that part of Brickett's Crossing Road was closed due to a washout. West Shore Road has some spots that have been washed badly, but it is still passable. I haven't been out to see any of the damage, but I heard from sons Bob and Jamie this morning as they were at our camp repositioning boats and securing floatables. Some of us are used to high water from the days before the rubber dam was installed, but newcomers perhaps haven't had the experience and won't know what to expect. Living space at our camp is above the basement area and things in the basement are either raised or ok to float - we laugh that we just close the door so nothing floats away and wait for the water to go down, then clean up. Not everyone is able to do that. Sandy Beach folks will be vulnerable, and others in low areas. I expect that Channel Drive is cut off because that road will be under water - and there may be other problem areas. I will post information and photos as soon as I get them.

This came from Ann Muse: After the heavy rains, a Rave trampoline float (see photo on the right) came to rest in front of our property at 60 Narrows Drive in the cove by the narrows. 

And Diane Rossi sent this photo of the dock at her neighbor, Ray Rouleau's this morning. It usually takes a day or so for things to get back to normal, unless we get more rain. Please be careful and don't put yourself in danger trying to rescue a boat or other object. There will be time later to sort out the stuff that is bound to be floating around in the pond.

The photo on the right is of a washout near the Craig cottage on West Shore Road. Thank, Diane Rossi for that picture.  There is no brook here, but the shoulder of the road gave out, as you can see. The Cabot road crews have been out to see what damage there is and will prioritize repairs.

This statement was published this morning on Front Porch Forum:

On behalf of the [Cabot] Selectboard - enormous gratitude to those who helped to secure the Town last night - first responders, private citizens and town personnel. This is what community means. An update follows - (after and early morning conversation with Mike Hogan, Selectboard Chair) - infrastructure assessment is underway right now, including viewing the water treatment plant, and assessing the roads and local businesses. State and FEMA outreach is immediately pending, updates to follow. The Selectboard will meet as soon as initial (major) damage has been inventoried and -in concert with stakeholders- move as rapidly as possible to build a priority list and begin work. All meetings will -of course- be open and public, details to follow. Although the water treatment plant is currently fully operational and there is no immediate and documented evidence of contamination, flooding has been extensive and boiling water is recommended. Stay safe, please check on your neighbors, and lets move forward to rebuild together. -Karen Larsen

 

This chart shows rainfall reported in the past 7 days in our general area. I report precipitation every day  - my station is VT-WS-12 . I reported 3.87 inches this morning that includes a 12-hr. period, and in the past 7 days I reported a total of 6.49 in. (not shown on this chart). The Cabot station shown ( VT-WS-23) is in a different part of town. Rainfall varies significantly. While Danville was getting marble-sized hail, here I had only light rain. Cabot Village sits directly alongside of the Winooski River - the headwaters are north of the village in the area of Nichols Pond, and while it is considerably smaller in this area, there are other good-sized brooks that lead into it north of Cabot Village, and this causes significant problems in storms like this one, so Cabot Village and the Lower Cabot further downriver on Route 215, are vulnerable.

If you don't have to go anywhere and you are safe where you are, plan to stay in place at least for today to let road and excavation crews do their work. Check in on your neighbors to see if they are safe and ok, and if you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.