Williston
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Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Winooski floods north Williston
JULY 13, 2023
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The storm bore no name, lacking the cohesion of its 2011 predecessor Irene. But it packed an equal punch. After flooding Montpelier on Monday (See story, Page 4), the deluge flowed down the Winooski River into Williston on Tuesday. Like it did during Tropical Storm Irene and does during occasional heavy spring runoff, the river overflowed its banks near the intersection of North Williston Road and Route 117. On Monday evening, Williston Fire Department Deputy Chief Tim Gerry went door to door encouraging residents of the low-lying areas around North Williston Road — including Fay Lane and Chapman Lane — to evacuate. Meanwhile, firefighters at Williston Central School were setting up a temporary shelter. This “voluntary evacuation” was not exactly heeded, and no Williston residents took shelter at the school. “It was a little confusing,” Williston Fire Department Capt. Prescott Nadeau acknowledged. see FLOODING page 24
Free meals offered in flood relief; donations needed
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: North Williston Road is flooded Tuesday morning near the Essex town line. Route 2 has water on it near the WillistonRichmond town line. A sign marks the closure of North Williston Road. The hydro-dam at the town line with Essex Junction rages. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Free meals will be distributed this Thursday and Friday at the Richmond Congregational Church, 20 Church St., to help those affected by flooding. Meals will be available from 4-6 p.m. Donations of grab-and-go food items and bottled water are needed. Donations can be dropped off at the church between 12-3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at Palmer Lane Maple on Route 15 in Jericho and at Trinity Baptist Church of Mountain View Road in Williston.