News

Additional Storm Resources

ByJesse Kay

Below please find resources and guidance from the State of Vermont:

  • Need emergency help:  call 911
  • Need resources and support: call 211  vermont211.org
  • Emergency Housing – the Red Cross, or other agencies, will usually host short-term emergency shelter sites – call 211 
  • If you have a fuel leak or an oily sheen on standing water please report to 800-641-5005 (24/7)
  • If you have insurance:
    • Contact your insurance agent and file a claim.
    • Get an adjuster scheduled to come.
    • Take photos of the damage and document the contents.
    • Flood insurance covers damage due to overland flow affecting two or more properties.  This includes damage to utilities in the basement. 
    • A homeowner’s policy will not cover losses due to flooding
    • NFIP Resources  (including How to File Your Claim)  Recursos del NFIP 
  • Vermont Flood Guide: Preparation, Response & Recovery Preservation Trust of Vermont: 
  • For additional information, visit this link.

Reporting Damages

Dumpster Update

ByJesse Kay

The two dumpsters available for storm waste will be delivered to the Heath Field this afternoon but will not be available for use until Saturday 7/15 as we must monitor the contents of these dumpsters. Please DO NOT use these dumpsters prior to 9 am on Saturday 7/15.

We will not accept tires, chemicals, appliances, furniture, or freon-containing items (refrigerators, air conditioners) in these dumpsters. See below for appliance disposal. These dumpsters are intended for storm waste ONLY.

Trailers will also be stationed at the Heath Field on Saturday collecting scrap metal free of cost, INCLUDING all metal appliances (fridge, AC, water heater etc.)

Once these dumpsters are filled, residents will be directed to dispose of storm waste at the transfer station per the standard pricing during regular operating hours.

Please note: These dumpsters are provided AT THE COST OF THE TOWN and the town will not be reimbursed for these with federal monies.

If you have questions, please contact jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

Storm Debris and Waste Disposal

ByJesse Kay

Chelsea will offer supplementary waste disposal options on Saturday 7/15 from 9am to 1pm (or until full) at the Chelsea Heath Field parking lot.

These dumpsters are intended for disposal of waste or debris from the recent storm ONLY- no household trash. The transfer station will hold normal operating hours for non-storm-related waste.m

We will NOT accept tires, chemicals, or freon-containing appliances (I.e. refrigerators, air conditioners).

With questions, contact jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

Second Storm System Anticipated

ByJesse Kay

Per the National Weather Service, our region is under flood watch starting tomorrow (7/13) from 14:00 through Friday (7/14) at 02:00. The NWS predicts an additional 1-1.5” of rainfall with thunderstorms accompanied by 40-60mph winds through 7/14. A second front is anticipated Saturday (7/15) through Sunday (7/16), with up to an additional 1” of rainfall, potentially resulting in power loss, tree damage, and additional road washouts. 

Please prepare accordingly– ensure you have plenty of water, food, medications, and other necessities and identify locations to take shelter if needed. If you have a private driveway culvert, consider clearing it (if safe to do so) to minimize additional damage.

If your basement has been flooded, contact the Chelsea Fire Station at 685-3112. The fire department continues to help pump basements as able, though manpower is limited. For information about public relief services, such as shelter and food, or to report property damage, contact Vermont 211 (at 2-1-1).

Our road crew continues to repair road and bridge damage from the prior storm and is taking proactive measures to prepare for the anticipated storms. At this time, all town roads are passable except for Moxley Bridge, but please continue to exert caution while driving on town roads. 

Town of Chelsea Storm Update

ByJesse Kay

Thank you to our mighty town of Chelsea. As we recover from the recent severe weather, please continue to check on your neighbors, take care of our most vulnerable, and assume the best in everyone. We are aware that some residents are without electricity or phone access. We also know that some residents cannot currently access resources due to road closures. We are in the process of reaching out to residents to ensure safety and prioritize medical needs. 

In the event that you are unable to access basic needs (i.e. food, water, or medications) please call 802-369-9229 or email emd@chelseavt.us. If your call is not answered, please provide us with your full name, address, needs/questions, and contact information.

We are coordinating with our local road crew, the Chelsea Fire Department, First Branch Ambulance, utility companies, contractors, and the state of Vermont to address safety concerns, first and foremost. PLEASE FIND INFORMATION & RESOURCES BELOW:

HOW TO GET HELP: 

  • Dial 211, text your zip code to 211, or visit https://vermont211.org.
  • If you are in an emergency, dial 911.
  • If your basement has been flooded, please contact the Chelsea Fire Station non-emergency contact at 685-3112.

EMERGENCY SHELTERS OPEN: 

For individuals who have evacuated, please consider the following options for shelter:

ROADS:

New England 511 – We suggest you access this website for road closure information. The state is doing the best it can to keep it updated.

Local Roads Status:
  • Access has been restored to the upper end of Upper Village Rd and South Washington Rd and Corinth Rd. 
  • Doyle Rd has been temporarily restored.
  • Moxley Bridge is closed for the foreseeable future.
  • Williamstown/Chelsea Rd- in progress, currently impassable.
  • Jenkins Brook is passable. 
  • East Randolph Rd is passable. 
  • Brook Rd is passable.

If you have knowledge of a Chelsea road that requires repair, please contact 802-369-9229. We are doing our best to keep a current list of road conditions, including washouts and closures.

Current river levels and forecast: https://water.weather.gov/ahps/region.php?state=vt

WATER:

Per the Chelsea Selectboard, there is currently a BOIL WATER NOTICE in the town of Chelsea until further notice. See full notice here.

The Chelsea wastewater system is operating at maximum capacity – PLEASE DO NOT DISCHARGE PUMPS LINES INTO THE TOWN SEWER SYSTEM. 

Basement pumps, sump pumps, and the like need to be discharged outdoors.

If you need your basement pumped, contact the Chelsea Fire Station non-emergency number at 802-685-3112.

Road Closure and Evacuation Update

ByJesse Kay

Chelsea Village experienced extensive flooding overnight. Residents in the village have been advised to evacuate and take shelter at the United Church of Chelsea. We will continue to update this page as we learn more.

Please continue to monitor weather reports and be mindful of water levels in rivers and streams. Stay off the roads if you do not need to travel and do not drive or walk through flood water as strong currents or unseen washouts may sweep you or your car away.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911. If you have a non-emergent question, contact Tracy Simon (Chelsea’s Emergency Management Director) at 802-839-0522.

If you have information about local road and bridge conditions or closures, please contact Jesse Kay at jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

For the latest road closure updates, please visit https://newengland511.org.

Orange County Road Closings

  • VT-14 in Williamstown in the Williamstown Gulf is CLOSED due to flooding.
  • VT-14 in Brookfield is CLOSED from Brown Drive to Tripp RD due to flooding
    like 1 
  • VT-65 in Brookfield Floating Bridge over Sunset Lake is CLOSED due to flooding
  • VT-14 in Randolph is CLOSED between Clay Wright Rd and S Randolph Rd due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in East Randolph north of VT-66 is CLOSED to all traffic due to flooding. Closures also likely to extend into Brookfield.
  • VT-64 In Williamstown from junction of VT-14 to I-89 is closed due to flooding. 
  • VT-110 is CLOSED in Washington Village due to flooding
  • VT-110 in Washington is down to one lane near Richardson Rd due to flooding. 
  • VT-25 in Topsham near Waits River Valley School is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-25 in Topsham at Waits River Valley School to Brook Rd in Corinth is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in Vershire is CLOSED between Darling Hill Rd and Vershire Center Rd due to flooding 
  • VT-113 in Vershire is CLOSED near Beaver Meadow Rd due to flooding.

Washington County Road Closings

  • Berlin State Highway between VT-62 and US-302 is CLOSED to all traffic due to flooding at the bottom of the highway near US-302 
  • VT-62 EB at Hospital Hill (Airport Rd & Berlin State Hwy) is CLOSED to VT-62 EB traffic into Barre and WB traffic via Berlin State Hwy into Berlin/Montpelier to US-302. 
  • VT-62 in Berlin from Airport Rd to US-302 is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • I-89 NB at Exit 8 is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • I-89 NB from Exit 7 to Exit 9 is CLOSED to ALL TRAFFIC due to flooding.
  • I-89 NB just north of Exit 8 in Montpelier is closed to ONE LANE due to water
  • I-89 SB from Exit 9 to Exit 8 is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • VT-12A South of Roxbury village between Railroad Ave and Sullivan Hill Rd is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-12A in Roxbury is CLOSED in both directions from Railroad Ave to Sullivan Hill Rd. 
  • VT-12 in Worcester at Ledge Rd is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • The Waterbury Park and Ride off Lincoln St in Waterbury is CLOSED due to high water. 
  • VT-12 in Berlin at Chase Rd is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-12 in Berlin between Slayton Ave and Weston St is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • VT-12 in Worchester north of Mill Rd near Tavern Farm is now CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • US-2 in Middlesex near Lower Barnett Hill Rd is closed due to flooding.
  • Route 302 at the intersection of Route 2 to Sherwood Drive is now closed. We will update as soon as it is reopened 
  • US-2 in Marshfield is CLOSED between Plainfield Village and Nasmith Brook Rd due to flooding State Street from Bailey Avenue to Graves Street is closed 
  • State Street in Montpelier from Bailey Avenue to Graves Street is closed 
  • US-2 in East Montpelier between Gallison Hill Rd and Muddy Brook Rd is CLOSED due to flooding
  • US-302 in Barre Town from Old Route 302 to the roundabout is CLOSED due to flooding.
  • US-2 in Waterbury near Farrs Field (West of Waterbury) is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • US-2 Marshfield near Folsom Hill Road is CLOSED due to a mudslide. 
  • US-2 immediately west of the Village of Marshfield is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • US-2 in Marshfield at Beaver Meadow Road is CLOSED due to flooding and debris/mud
  • US-2 in Duxbury is CLOSED between VT-100 and VT-100B due to Flooding. 
  • US-302 in Orange near Reservoir Road is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in Calais at Pekin Brook Road is CLOSED due to flooding.
Emergency Shelters

If you need to evacuate or are unable to return to your home, see below for a listing of emergency shelters for Vermonters. Our local emergency shelter is at the United Church of Chelsea

For people impacted by flooding in Vermont, below is a list of emergency shelters confirmed by Vermont Public.

Weather and Flash Flood Notice

ByJesse Kay

The National Weather Service anticipates widespread heavy rain starting tonight (7/9) and continuing through tomorrow afternoon with accumulation up to 4.8″ in Chelsea. The impacts of such heavy rainfall include saturated soils, clogged and washed-out culverts, washed-out dirt roads/shoulders, elevated river levels, and flash flooding.

Individuals living in the downtown area and near the Jail Brook or First Branch River are more likely to experience flooding. We advise you to monitor the weather, plan accordingly, and prioritize your safety.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911, other questions contact Tracy Simon, Chelsea’s Emergency Management Director, at 802-839-0522. For non-emergent questions, please contact the Administrative Assistant at administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us or the Chelsea Selectboard Emergency Liaison at jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

West Fairlee-Thetford Vt. Rte 113 Culvert Replacement Postponed

ByPatty Swahn
A 48-hour Closure of Vermont Route 113 Has Been Postponed to July 29-30
West Fairlee and Thetford- A 48-hour planned closure of Vermont Route 113 (VT 113) previously scheduled for July 22-23 has been postponed to July 29-30. During the planned closure, VT Route 113, near the West Fairlee-Thetford town line, will be closed to all traffic.    During the closure, a state-signed detour route will be in place for motorists. The detour will travel south from VT Route 113 and U.S. Route 5 to VT Route 14 in Hartford, then head west towards VT Route 110 to go north and return to VT Route 113. 

Chelsea Town Forest and Parks Commission

ByPatty Swahn

The Chelsea Selectboard is looking for interested residents to serve on the Chelsea Town Forest and Parks Commission.   The Commission will provide input to the Selectboard on the function and uses of the Town Forest as well as provide input on Town Parks.  An example of activities that this Commission will be asked to make recommendations on include; tree maintenance and replacement on the North and South Common, timber sales and recreational usage of the Town Forest.  These town owned properties are an incredible resource to our community and we look forward to working with a new Commission to address current and future uses and functions of these assets.  If you are interested, please send an email to Patty Swahn, Administrative Assistant at administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us by close of business on Friday, July 7th.