Great Vermont Flood of 1927

The Great Flood of 1927 was a flooding event in Vermont, and some parts of the bordering states. In early November 1927, heavy rainfall across New England caused extensive and destructive flooding. Vermont experienced the majority of the damage. In total of 85 people died and damage exceeded $50 million.

Following a very wet October, record levels of rainfall fell in early November. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated 53% of the state received more than six inches of rain, (the greatest recorded amount being 9.86 in in Somerset) which caused rivers throughout the state to flood. The flood is considered the worst flood in Vermont, with the only comparisons being the 2011 Hurricane Irene floods and those of July 2023.

Prelude
During the month of October, rainfall statewide averaged about 150 percent of normal, but in the northern and central sections of the state, some weather stations received 200–300 percent of normal. Heavy rainfall periods during the month were sufficiently separated that flooding did not occur, but the soil became saturated. Combined with the lateness of the year and the fact that most vegetation was either in, or near, seasonal dormancy, any further rainfall would run off directly into the rivers.

Flood
Rain began to fall on the evening of November 2, as a cold front moved into the area from the west. Rainfall continued through the night with light amounts being recorded by the morning of the 3rd. Rainfall intensity increased during the morning of the 3rd as a low pressure center moved up along the Northeast coast. This low had abundant moisture associated with the remnants of a former tropical storm. As the low moved up the coast, a strong southeast air flow developed. This moisture-laden air was forced to rise as it encountered the Green Mountains, resulting in torrential downpours along and east of the mountains. Rainfall amounts at the Weather Bureau station in Northfield, for example, totaled 1.65 in from 4 am to 11 am on the 3rd, with 4.24 in falling from 11 am to 8 pm. The total from late evening of the 2nd to late morning on the 4th was 8.71 in.

Aftermath
The flood destroyed 1285 bridges, killed at least 84 people, and destroyed many buildings and much infrastructure. Environmental historians attribute a number of possible causes for the extreme flooding, including deforestation, saturation of the soil, and the lack of living greenery because of the fall season.

The flood is seen as a turning point in relations between the state government and the governments of the towns. Floodwaters destroyed many bridges which were the towns' responsibility to maintain and repair, but many towns lacked the resources to rebuild their bridges. The state government undertook the task and in so doing assumed a larger role in the statewide road system.

The next year, President Calvin Coolidge (a native of Vermont) visited the state. He saw how Vermont had recovered from the flood and made a famous speech in Bennington in which he observed, “I love Vermont because of her hills and valleys, her scenery and invigorating climate, but most of all because of her indomitable people.” He went on to praise “the people of this brave little state of Vermont” for their endurance.