Relief is on the way to parts of Vermont after devastating flooding trapped people inside their homes. While there are lingering chances of more rain, officials in some of the hardest hit areas, like the state’s capital of Montpelier, say the water levels of nearby rivers have dropped below flood stages.
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Earlier this week, flooding went as high as the windows of businesses, sweeping away roadways and pushing dam systems to the brink. While there are still concerns, many are now switching the focus to cleaning up.
Dozens of people were rescued by boats, a surprising scene as crews made their way through what was once city streets.
Nicknamed “The Green Mountain State,” Vermont is well known for its ski resorts. Some of which, like the Okemo Mountain Resort, saw flooding and large amounts of debris.
Vermont is also home to 150 miles worth of the Appalachian Trail, but now officials with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are asking hikers to stay out of the area. They released a statement saying, “hikers should postpone their hikes in Vermont until emergency management officials advise that leisure travel can begin again and conditions improve.”
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency for Vermont.
The heavy rain also created flooding in nearby New York, killing at least one woman. The worst of the flooding there was in the Hudson Valley area, just north of New York City.
Many reports call the extreme rain a product of climate change, suggesting that recent studies show the water cycle has been intensifying.
Flash floods can happen anywhere, and knowing how to stay safe is essential.
This includes:
- Get to higher ground
- Avoid crossing flood waters
- If you have to cross a road, probe it with a stick ahead of you to check for deep patches
- Be wary of any down power lines
