In less than an hour, the 2 swollen rivers effectively shut down 120 businesses, left more than 50 residents homeless, threw the workings of much of state government into disarray, and caused upwards of $5 million in damage. Miraculously, there was no loss of life, but the lifeblood of Montpelier's historic downtown was devastated by the 2nd great flood to strike the city in this century.
The 1992 event was very different from its predecessor nearly 65 years ago. The famous November, 1927 flood followed 3 days of torrential rains, and the destruction and death it caused -- nearly 100 Vermonters lost their lives -- were felt statewide. This time, except for a few other areas of localized river flooding, the damage was concentrated in Montpelier. And this time, it came with almost no advance warning.