Flooding In Vermont Results In State Of Emergency

President Joe Biden has officially pronounced an emergency status in Vermont, responding to severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfalls, which the state’s Governor, Phil Scott, described as “historic and catastrophic.”

Certain regions in Vermont registered rainfall as high as 9 inches, causing previously small creeks to transform into fast-flowing rivers. This flood situation has been reported as the most devastating the state has experienced since the impact of Tropical Storm Irene back in 2011.

According to officials, more than 100 individuals have been saved so far in Vermont. Scott said there had been no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Additional rescue personnel, including teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, are en route to the affected regions for what is anticipated to be an operation spanning several days or weeks. Officials also confirmed that helicopters from the National Guards of Vermont and New Hampshire are assisting with evacuation efforts.

Governor Scott cautioned on Tuesday that the situation remains perilous, with floodwaters still rising and more rain forecasted for the state, which threatens to exacerbate the saturation of the grounds.

The Winooski River crested at 21.02 feet in Montpelier, the state capital of Vermont, marking its greatest elevation since 1927.

After the water subsided more slowly than anticipated, Montpelier prolonged its downtown travel prohibition until 3 p.m. ET Tuesday.

“We know that business owners will be anxious to check out their stores but we urge patience,” Montpelier City Manager William Fraser said Monday night.

Scott said the roads usually used for his travels to work “were completely impassable,” forcing the governor to hike to the emergency response center Tuesday morning.

The declaration of emergency in Vermont was precipitated by intense rainfalls soaking the Northeast, extending from upstate New York to western Maine.

The severe weather started on Sunday, impacting a large portion of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas and triggering flash flood warnings in parts of New York. Tragically, one individual lost their life in the floods in upstate New York. The system moved northward on Monday, leading to the most significant rainfall striking Vermont.

A respite from the relentless downpours is anticipated for the Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the weather forecast for Thursday indicates a resurgence of heavy rain and thunderstorms across the region, including New York and Vermont. An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall could potentially occur.