Modest wind after long rain equals widespread tree failure; Burlington, VT

Wind knocks out power around state | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press
By Matt Ryan, Free Press staff • May 31, 2009
Strong winds felled trees across Vermont Sunday afternoon, leaving thousands of people without electricity.
As of 7:30 p.m., a few hours after the winds had subsided, Green Mountain Power reported having 5,500 customers without power. The utility called in all its line crews, spokesman Robert Dostis said, adding it was too early to say when power would be restored.
The areas in and around Montpelier and Vergennes were the hardest hit, Dostis said. He reported parts of the utility’s service area experienced winds blowing at about 40mph.
Bill Kahn of Ridge Street in Montpelier said a large tree fell in his yard.
“It’s pretty amazing. It’s this huge tree, it must be 200 years old taking up my whole lawn,” Kahn said.