Flood Warning Issued for Mad River at Moretown in Washington County, Vermont

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT has issued a Flood Warning for the Mad River at Moretown. This alert was issued on the morning of Sunday, March 8, 2026, as an ice jam has caused river levels to rise above flood stage.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts Washington County, Vermont. The primary area of concern is the Mad River at Moretown, with flooding impacts noted between Waitsfield and Moretown.

Expected Conditions

Minor flooding is currently occurring and is forecast to continue through the day. An ice jam is causing water to infiltrate lowlands along the river. As of 7:00 AM EDT Sunday, the river stage was recorded at 9.1 feet, which is above the flood stage of 9.0 feet. At this level, the Mad River begins to leave its banks, resulting in field flooding between Waitsfield and Moretown and the inundation of some local roads. The river is expected to fall below flood stage this afternoon and continue receding to 4.2 feet by Tuesday morning.

Timeline

The Flood Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in effect until 7:08 PM EDT on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The next official statement from the National Weather Service is expected this evening at approximately 7:15 PM EDT.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected area are urged to exercise extreme caution.

• Stay Away from Banks: Use caution when walking near riverbanks and stay well away from any ice.
• Road Safety: Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
• Monitor Updates: Stay tuned to local weather reports for further developments.