An approaching low pressure system from the southwest, spread warm, above freezing air over the region on January 24th and 25th. Rain moved into Vermont on the morning of January 25th and continued through the day. Rivers and streams experienced sharp rises on the 25th, with several that crested during the night into the morning hours of the 26th. The river rises broke up the ice cover across the area and ice jams resulted, including in Montpelier, where flooding resulted in several evacuations.

Flood in WINDSOR, VERMONT
From 25-JAN-10 14:28:00 to 25-JAN-10 15:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHESTER
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An ice jam on the South Branch of the Williams River sent water around a house and over the road. The house experienced basement flooding, automobiles were moved by the floodwaters, and the residents were evacuated.

Flood in ORANGE, VERMONT
From 25-JAN-10 19:40:00 to 26-JAN-10 10:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRADFORD
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An ice jam formed on the Waits River along Route 25 west of Bradford. Two feet of water covered the roadway and two residences were evacuated. Flood waters subsided and the roads were reopened the following morning.

Flood in WASHINGTON, VERMONT
From 25-JAN-10 18:45:00 to 25-JAN-10 20:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONTPELIER
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

An ice jam formed on the North Branch of the Winooski at 18:45, flooding parking lots and basements of businesses in downtown Montpelier. The jam then broke shortly after 19:00, moved downstream, and entered the main channel of the Winooski River. The jam traveled downstream on the Winooski River, and came to a stop at the Cemetery Curve of Route 2 by 20:00. Water rose rapidly behind the jam, and forced the closing of Lower State Street (Rte 2). By 20:30 the ice jam broke free and moved downstream, and water levels receded.

Flood in ADDISON, VERMONT
From 25-JAN-10 17:02:00 to 25-JAN-10 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CORNWALL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Heavy rainfall and snowmelt combined to generate water 3 to 6 inches deep flowing over Morgan Horse Farm Road in Weybridge VT. Water also covered Vermont Rte 125 in Cornwall, Rte 17 near New Haven Junction, and Rte 116 in Starksboro.

Flood in RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 25-JAN-10 18:10:00 to 25-JAN-10 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRANDON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High water from rain and snowmelt flooded roads in and around Brandon, including Wheeler Rd, Barlow Ave, Union St, and Stone Mill Dam Rd.

Flood in CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 26-JAN-10 04:48:00 to 26-JAN-10 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An ice jam moved down the Winooski river from Richmond to Essex during the early morning hours. The jam backed water up into Rogers Lane and Johnny Brook Rd near the Richmond/Jericho town line. Downstream water flooded North Williston Rd on the Essex side of the river.

Flood in FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 26-JAN-10 08:00:00 to 26-JAN-10 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST HIGHGATE
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice jams on the Missisquoi River closed portions of state highways on January 26. A jam near East Highgate was the most significant, closing down all of route 78. Another ice jam near the Enosburg/Berkshire town line closed one lane of Route 105. Another section of Route 105 to the west of the Route 236 intersection was closed to one lane of traffic by water spilling over an undersized culvert.