Weathersfield News for Week of 7/11/13

With flashbacks to tropical storm Irene, Weathersfield was, once again, pounded with downpours and many roads were damaged and/or closed. The list of damages is long, and with the continued weather pattern, I don't think we are out of the woods yet. 

According to a report by Town Manager Jim Mullen, preliminary damages total over $150,000.  Roads affected were:  Tarbell Hill Road, Grout Road, High Meadow Road, Cascade Falls Road , Ascutney Basin Road , Butterfield Hill  Road, Gulf Road , Piper Road , Plains Road, Jarvis Road, Lottery Lane, Little Ascutney Road, Upper Falls Road, Ascutney Notch Road, Branch Brook Road, Henry Gould Road, as well as the Salmond Covered Bridge. There were many other private roads and driveways that were decimated by the torrential flooding.

Once again, Route 106 from Downers Corners to Reading was closed with high levels of water across the road near the Transfer Station, at the foot of Tarbell Hill Road and water, gravel and debris across the road in numerous places.

To view some pictures of the damages and flooding, you can visit WeathersfieldVermontNews.blogspot.com .  If anyone has pictures they want to post, please feel free to do so.

The VTrans Crews and Weathersfield Highway Crew (assisted by West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Ascutney Volunteer Fire Association) were out in force, closing roads, cleaning up, making every effort to get roads open for normal travel. The response was immediate and productive. The roads are not completely fixed, so please be careful when traveling on any of these roads as there still may be some areas that are in need of further repairs.

In other news, Springfield had it's first fire works display in many years. According to those that were there (and the sounds reverberating through the valley) it was a huge success. Great job, Springfield! What a way to make a comeback.

The continued weather pattern also has the heat and humidity in high numbers. Please DO NOT leave your pets or children in the car. Even a few minutes is too much. Everyone should use sunscreen, stay hydrated and seek medical attention if they feel they are suffering from heat stroke.

Stoughton Pond in Perkinsville is still closed due to flooding (as of Sunday, when I wrote this). Stoughton Pond is OPEN!

There have been reports in the news of lives lost due to swimming in flooded rivers and ponds. Please be safe and don't take risks. The currents are unpredictable. With all the water going through, the hazards under the water may have moved or deposited new ones where there weren't any before. Jumping into unclear water is NOT the way to find out that there is a boulder in the middle of your swimming hole.

My sister informed us last night that there was 22 weeks left until Christmas. Everyone at the table groaned. I'm thinking warm sunshine, pool time and riding my horses.  As far as I am concerned, winter can take a vacation this year!

Stay safe and enjoy the summer!