Nor'easter Disrupts Vermont Town Meetings

Heavy snow and power outages force postponements and low voter turnout on Town Meeting Day.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A massive snowstorm dubbed the 'March Lion' blanketed Vermont on March 6, 2001, with over two feet of snow in many areas. The heavy snow knocked out power to thousands and snarled roadways, coinciding with Town Meeting Day and causing some communities to postpone their in-person meetings and reducing voter turnout at the polls.

Why it matters

Town Meeting Day is a longstanding Vermont tradition where residents gather to discuss and vote on local issues. The severe weather disrupted this civic process, highlighting the impact extreme weather can have on democratic participation and community decision-making.

The details

The storm officially dropped 22.9 inches of snow in Burlington, the 7th highest total on record. Power outages and impassable roads forced some towns to postpone their in-person town meetings, while others saw significantly reduced voter turnout as residents struggled to make it to the polls.

  • The storm hit on March 6, 2001.
  • Town Meeting Day is typically held on the first Tuesday in March.

The players

WCAX

A local television news station that reported on the storm's impact.

Burlington, Vermont

The largest city in Vermont, which saw 22.9 inches of snow, the 7th highest total on record.

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What they’re saying

“We had a police escort because none of us could get out of our driveway.”

— Poll worker (WCAX)

What’s next

Vermont officials are expected to review emergency preparedness plans to ensure town meetings can continue even in the face of severe weather disruptions.

The takeaway

The 2001 Nor'easter demonstrated the importance of resilient civic infrastructure and emergency planning to protect the integrity of Vermont's longstanding Town Meeting Day tradition, even in the face of extreme weather events.