"We are witnessing a powerful act of nature," Young said. The flooding struck at the height of Vermont’s summer tourist season, and many locals worried it would pile yet another challenge upon already struggling local businesses.īeauregard and Gavin Young, 18, have been housesitting and realized that without gas, they wouldn’t be able to get anywhere once the waters recede. These Vermont floodwaters were no different. In places, the smell of paint thinner and garbage hung heavy in the air.įloodwaters typically contain a toxic stew of chemicals pulled from inundated buildings, from gasoline and paint to sewage and household cleaners. "It was just 'whoa.' It becomes real when you see it," said Alaina Beauregard, 19, who paddled a green canoe across downtown Montpelier on Tuesday just before noon, looking for gas. National Guard helicopters were also conducting evacuations in remote areas that water rescue teams weren't able to access and many were still deployed Tuesday night.įor those who made it to safety, once the waters began to recede, what was left was worry, and concern over what the waters had taken, and what would be left behind. There were no reports of injuries or deaths. Authorities said they had carried out more than 175 rescues by Tuesday night, including dozens from flooded buildings, homes, and cars. Residents grabbed pets and scrambled to higher ground.
"We are not out of the woods," he said at a news conference. Phil Scott warned residents that waters were still rising early Tuesday. President Joe Biden declared an emergency in the state. Police, fire, and public works crews moved to a water treatment plant in a nearby town because of heavy flooding at the police department's basement, at city hall, and at the fire department. The onslaught – up to 9 inches of rain in parts of Vermont – knocked out radio towers used to dispatch emergency vehicles. MONTPELIER, Vt. − Stunned and soaked, residents paddled through the main streets of the capital city of Vermont Tuesday after torrents of rain lashed the Northeast, causing deadly and catastrophic flooding that has already resulted in tens of millions of dollars of damage throughout the state. Watch Video: Vermont hit with severe flooding, evacuations following heavy rainfall
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