Flood-Ravaged Areas in the Northeast Brace for More Rainfall
Communities in Vermont and New York are facing the possibility of additional rainfall on Thursday as they struggle to recover from a devastating flood. Record-breaking deluge has wreaked havoc in these areas, turning small creeks into raging rivers and engulfing roads in the worst flooding seen since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
In Vermont, some regions recorded a staggering 9 inches of rain in just 24 hours by Tuesday afternoon. Picturesque areas akin to Green Mountain State were left battered and unrecognizable. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths, and officials have been working tirelessly to rescue and aid affected residents. Over 200 people have been rescued in Vermont so far, with 32 individuals saved in the particularly hard-hit Lamoille County on Tuesday night alone.
Vermont Commissioner of Public Safety, Jennifer Morrison, expressed cautious optimism, stating that the situation has improved significantly from Tuesday but ongoing rescues remain a priority. Meanwhile, the Winooski River, which flows through the state’s capital, Montpelier, reached its highest level since 1927 before gradually subsiding. The Wrightsville Dam, situated near Montpelier, is not expected to breach the spillway as it begins to recede.
In northern Vermont, the Lamoille River soared to a record-breaking level of 455.13 feet in the village of Jeffersonville. The river peaked on Tuesday and is now gradually returning to normal levels. Officials assure residents that river flooding is expected to remain calm throughout Wednesday.
Unfortunately, upstate New York has also suffered the consequences of the extreme weather, with at least one casualty reported due to floodwaters. More than 500 homeowners in Orange County have reported damages thus far. The storm system that started in the Mid-Atlantic region on Sunday worked its way up to the Northeast on Monday, resulting in heavy rainfall primarily affecting Vermont.
Additionally, a new severe weather system is expected to enter the Plains and Midwest regions, subsequently reaching the Northeast by Thursday evening. This system is forecast to bring scattered storms, raising concerns of further rainfall in already waterlogged areas from New York to Vermont. With the ground already saturated, even minimal rainfall could trigger another round of destructive flooding.
The affected communities in the Northeast are now bracing themselves for the potential challenges that lie ahead. As they continue to recover and rebuild from this historic deluge, they must now contend with the possibility of more rainfall and its devastating impacts on their homes and infrastructure.
Note: ABC News’ Victoria Arancio, Peter Charalambous, Alexandra Faul, Matt Foster, Max Golembo, Melissa Griffin, Dan Peck, and Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.