Ice Jam Floods BasementsBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Monday, December 26, 2005
 | | Upriver from a Main Road, Stamford, Vt. bridge, ice chunks remain intact. |
Stamford, Vt.- Mild air temperatures and a heavy overnight rainfall were the catalysts that caused a massive ice buildup under a state-maintained Main Road [Route 100] bridge early on Dec. 26. The ice jam sent Roaring Brook waters pouring over the river’s embankment, onto the roadway and into three residential cellars, and also pulled about 17 volunteer firefighters from their post-yuletide slumber for basement pumping duty.
Firefighters were called at about 2:45 a.m., said town fire department Chief Paul Ethier.
“The ice came down and got stuck under the bridge,†Ethier said. “Water ran over the bank and down the side of the road and got into Doug Wylde’s yard, and put about two feet of water in his basement. Then it ran across and put about a foot of water into two other basements.â€
Roaring Brook waters slice between a backhoe-carved space. |
Vermont Department of Transportation workers were contacted. State employees brought a backhoe to the scene and broke up the ice blockade, which in turn allowed the rapidly-flowing water to pass under the bridge. Traffic was diverted from the scene while the ice jam was removed.
Firefighters were able to leave the scene at about 9:30 a.m., Ethier said.
Ice jams under the bridge are not uncommon, Ethier said.
“We go through this almost every year,†he said.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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