(Host) The flash flooding that hit central Vermont last week has forced Green Mountain National Forest officials to close several public access areas.
Bridges at the Falls of Lana and Texas Falls have washed out due to high water. Forest officials have heard reports of significant washouts on trails and roadways. GMNF Spokesperson Kristi Ponozzo says the areas have been deemed hazardous or impassable.
(Ponozzo) "We’re asking people to exercise extreme caution when going into the forest. A lot of places are inaccessible at this point. We’re going every thing we can to post significant signs so that people know they’re not able to get into those areas, we just want people to be very careful, and in a lot of places we just want people to stay off the forest. "
(Host) A crew from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps had to be evacuated on Thursday morning from the Moosalamoo campground. They had been working on a culvert project in the area and staying at the campground. Ponozzo says the 30 Forest employees in the area have turned their attention to the storm damage.
The Moosalamoo Campground, the Bingo Brook Road and Campground and the Robert Frost Interpretative Trail have been closed due to washouts. Forest officials also want to be sure that public drinking water has not been contaminated by flood waters.
Ponozzo says it’s unclear how long it will take to repair the damage:
(Ponozzo) "We still have people out there who are assessing the damage. There’s a lot of place we can’t even get to at this point. So we don’t know all the damage that’s out there, and we’re expecting more rain and flash flooding today."
(Host) In the meantime, they are asking that people avoid those areas of the Green Mountain National Forest.