Weather Service Says Sandy Will Be Strong, But No Irene For Vt.

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The National Weather Service says that Hurricane Sandy will bring plenty of wind and rain with the potential for flooding. But the chief meteorologist in Burlington says the storm likely won’t rival Tropical Storm Irene.

The Weather Service office began issuing special statements about the storm and what residents in the region can expect.

The storm is expected to reach into Vermont and adjoining areas of northern New York and northern New England Monday and Tuesday.

A high wind warning is in effect from 11 a.m. Monday until 2 p.m. Tuesday.  And a flood watch is in effect for areas roughly south of Addison, Orange and Windsor counties.

The highest winds are currently forecast for western slopes of the Green Mountains and into the Northeast Kingdom. But the chances for flooding are much lower. 

"No widespread or major flooding is expected," the Weather Service said in a statement late Sunday morning. "However, sharp rises on local waterways are possible, along with several rivers approaching minor flood stage by Tuesday. Leaves may clog storm drains, as well, which could cause additional flood problems."

The chief meteorologist at the Weather Service office in Burlington said in a statement to the news media that Sandy would not affect the region as seriously as Irene did last year.

"Our message continues to be that this is NOT another Irene for us," meteorologist Andy Nash wrote. "Flooding, if any, will be minimal, and likely confined to just the eastern slopes of the green mountains and eastern slopes of the Adirondacks. Otherwise, the story with Sandy will be damaging winds — some places (western slopes of the Greens and Adirondacks, Northeast Kingdom) getting clobbered.   Think April 2007 and December 2010 wind storms combined."

 

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