We should feel lucky that we do not live in the tornado or hurricane belt. Vermont only encounters minor earthquakes too. In fact, I believe we live in one of the safest places in the world. So, why worry about a little flooding?
I wanted to share a few pictures of this morning's record setting flood waters lapping Burlington's shoreline. You remember this photo (below) from
April 20.
The water continued to rise to over 102 feet, setting an all time record. This is today's view from a nearby vantage point. Notice that I couldn't pedal to the same spot. As it was, I walked my bike through some rose bushes to get this close.
A ferry dock and businesses are also underwater. The low building in the distance is a restaurant and where you get on the ferry (only open in summer). People are out in row boats and hip waders, accessing the damage.
Lots of debris floated down the rivers and eventually into the lake.
The Coast Guard building (blue roof) has its share of problems too as water rises to the ground level of the building. Bucket loaders are clearing debris away from the docks, creating huge wood piles.
Battery Park overlooks the waterfront just above the Coast Guard. It's a unique view of the flooding. The lighthouse is at one end of a mile long breakwater, currently several feet below the surface. Bike path is in immediate foreground.
As the snow melts and more rain falls (expected this evening) the water levels may continue to rise. Clearly, we are now into uncharted territory.
After the water recedes let's all pitch in to lend a hand in the cleanup. Burlington and it's beautiful waterfront deserve our immediate attention to restore the beaches, the park land, and the bike path so we all can enjoy it this summer.
I am from Montreal, and frequently come in your area on bike, but I'm even more surprised than you are, because I didn't know water could come that high on the Lake. More than that, here in Montreal, our medias only talked, in the last week, about flooding further north than you, on the Richelieu River, in Quebec. Houses and roads under water: http://www.24hmontreal.canoe.ca/24hmontreal/actualites/archives/2011/04/20110428-084706.html
ReplyDeleteand video here:
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/201104/28/01-4394177-bienvenue-a-sabrevois-sur-mer.php
Thank you for the links. It has been a recording setting winter here with high accumulations of snow and then record rainfall in April. This makes for an overabundance of water in the lake. Because our lake empties into the Richelieu River I guess the overflow carries on downstream.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I directed a Canadian cyclist today around closed areas of bike path along our waterfront. He seemed very surprised that there was so much flooding too.
Merci! for reading my blog.