Vermont flooding: Thousands of homes, businesses damaged
Vermont flooding People kayak up and down the flooded waters of Elm Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Authorities prepared Wednesday to survey damage caused by catastrophic flooding across Vermont as officials brace for the possibility of more rain.
“I think we all understand that we are now living through the worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since 1927,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Wednesday at a news conference.
“What we are looking at now are thousands, thousands of homes and businesses which have been damaged, sometimes severely. We’re looking at roads and bridges, some of which have been wiped out and will need basic and fundamental repairs.”
The floodwaters that inundated the state Sunday as heavy rain drenched the Northeast had begun to recede Wednesday, officials said. Jennifer Morrison, the commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Public Safety, said rivers are expected to be below flood levels within 24 hours.
“Generally speaking, rivers have crested and river flooding should wind down throughout the day,” the commissioner said. She added that flooding persists in some areas, though the southern and central parts of the state “are quickly turning the corner to the recovery phase of the disaster.
“For now, things are stable in many areas across the state.”
Water rescues remained ongoing in Lamoille County in the northern part of the state.
Gov. Phil Scott said authorities were preparing Wednesday for the possibility of more flooding as forecasts predict that additional rain will fall on Thursday and Friday.
“This may not be over,” the governor said. “With rain in the forecast and nowhere for it to go, we could see waters rise again. So, it’s critical Vermonters be aware of their surroundings, remain vigilant and plan ahead.”
As of Wednesday morning, no deaths have been reported in connection with the floods. However, Morrison urged people to be precautious as recovery efforts launch.
“We need to remain vigilant in the days to come as many disaster-related deaths occur after the acute phase and during clean-up and recovery,” she said. “Vermonters, keep your guard up and don’t take chances.”
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said the catastrophic flooding seen across the state was “very much a climate-change-related situation” after he spoke Tuesday with the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“The warmer weather, particularly over the ocean, that then comes across the country and is here in Vermont means that there’s much, much more moisture in the air,” Welch said. “So, a rainstorm pre-climate change would not have dumped in some places 9 inches of rain, but all of that moisture in the air gets turned into rain that then gets added to the volume, which is enormous.”
Officials urged people to avoid the floodwaters, which contain debris and in some cases, downed powerlines.
The heavy rain seen over the Northeast in recent days caused flash floods that claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman Sunday in New York, officials said.
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont U.S. Geological Survey hydrographer Samuel Jacob measures the flooded Winooski River's discharge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. He said it was 15,000-16,000 cubic feet per second. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Montpelier resident Lynnea Timpone paddle boards at the intersection of Main Street and East State Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Debris in the flooded Wisnooski River gets caught under a bridge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Main Street is flooded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont At the northern start of flooding on Elm Street, many people brought out their kayaks on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A person bikes around downtown once flood waters receded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Residents walk along a muddy Main Street after flood waters receded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a kayaker paddles through the flooded waters of Elm Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Andrew Brewer, a resident of Montpelier and former business owner on Langdon Street, helps wash away the mud from the sidewalk July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont People look out on a flooded street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Debris left behind from the flooded Winooski River covers on a bridge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Bailey Road, a clothing and home goods store on Main Street, was left severely damaged from flood waters on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a truck backs up after attempting to drive through heavily flooded waters on Elm Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont People kayak down Main Street after catastrophic flooding on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Route 11 is flooded after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, water covers residential property on Route 11 after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Flooding behind the sign marking the towns of Windham and Londonderry on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A road is severely damaged by flooding on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A flooded road is seen on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Onlookers check out a flooded road on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water floods around homes as the river overflows along Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A flooded road is seen on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A mailbox sits above water in front of a flooded property on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a pick-up truck drives along a flooded road after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A mailbox sits in front of a flooded property on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water rushes around an SUV on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A tractor makes its way through a flooded road after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Onlookers check out a flooded road on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A yard is flooded by rushing water on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water floods around a house on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, water covers Route 11 after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)