Flooding subsides as residents begin cleanup in Vermont

BARRE, Vt. -- Floodwaters and mud gave way to brooms, shovels, and swirling dust yesterday as city crews and homeowners began the task of cleaning up after flash flooding, scraping mud and debris from roads, driveways, and parking lots.

The city plans to seek a federal disaster declaration to help pay for the cleanup.

Firefighters worked through the night Wednesday, hosing mud from streets. A small backhoe cleared a mud layer from a parking lot yesterday while a street-sweeping truck made several passes through the city.

At Dente's Market, passing cars pushed water through the door, according to owner Rick Dente, 51. It was a foot deep inside at the height of the flooding Wednesday, he said.

"It was a tidal wave effect," said Dente.

Route 302, a major artery between Barre and Montpelier, reopened yesterday after being washed out; it was closed between Route 14 and Route 25 for emergency repairs for part of the day.

The National Weather Service estimated that 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in the area Wednesday. By yesterday morning, rain totals were 5.2 inches in Bethel, 4.9 in Randolph, 4.7 in North Calais, 4 in Brookfield, 3.3 in Waitsfield, and 3.2 in Worcester.