The east side of town sustained little damage; the west side of town sustained heavy damage with almost every road now impassable.

The West Weathersfield Fire Department functioned as the Emergency Operations Center.

Select Board Chair David Fuller and Vice Chair John Arrison declared a state of Emergency at 2:48 PM. Vermont Emergency Management was notified. State assistance was requested.

The West Weathersfield Fire Department evacuated residents on the west side of Branch Brook (which despite its name, was a raging river) and the Ascutney Fire Department evacuated residents on the east side of the brook. All roads over the brook from Stoughton Pond Road north to Reading washed out.

Route 131 in Amsden washed out at the bridge near the old inn (the big white building). The road will need to be completely rebuilt. It is barricaded and closed. 4 houses (including the “inn”) below the bridge are flooded and may wash down the river overnight.

Route 131 going west towards Cavendish is washed out and closed.

Route 106 in the area of the Transfer Station is under 3’ to 5’ of water and utility poles are down.

Route 106 has washed into the river ¼ mile south of Dowers Four Corners. It will need to be completely rebuilt by the state. This will take many days or weeks of work. It is barricaded and closed. (see video below)

The Downers Four Corners area is completely isolated and inaccessible by vehicle.

The West Weathersfield Fire Department moved half of its trucks and firefighters to the Weathersfield Highway Department just before Route 106 washed into the river south of Downers.

The following roads in West Weathersfield are currently closed due to washouts: Route 106, Route 131, Ascutney Basin Road, Little Ascutney Road, Tarbell Hill Road, Amsden School Road, Lottery Lane, Amsden Hollow Road, Branch Brook Road, Upper Falls Road, (a part of) Plains Road, (the top of) Quarry Road, Baltimore Road, Green Valley Road, and Cory Hill Road. Many residents on these roads have no vehicle access in and out.

The power has been out since 1:30 PM.

One West Weathersfield Fire Fighter’s arm was injured performing a Stokes Basket evacuation and was taken by ambulance to Springfield Hospital.

The Highway Department barricaded roads. Miller Construction assisted in barricading efforts.

The Town Highway Department plans to start rebuilding these roads at dawn, assisted by local contractors.

The quick efforts of our two fire departments prevented loss of life as Branch Brook and the Black River rose to flood stage within minutes. The residents of one house remain trapped on their upper floor with no way to rescue them due to the violence of the raging waters.  The situation with many homes is unknown.

Video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bWputPifkg covered bridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YevP562Nh0U perkinsville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INsVDZHVu2c 106

Jim Mullen, Town Manager