At least one person has died and dozens have been rescued amid widespread flooding in the Northeast as torrential rains have triggered flash floods.
On Sunday, a 43-year-old woman died in Orange County, New York, after trying to save her father’s dog amid the flooding while others in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts also faced flash flood threats.
“Her fiancé literally saw her swept away,” New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul said of the woman who died. Parts of New York and Vermont experienced 7-8 inches of rain in just hours leading to flash flooding as rivers overflowed.
Hochul partially blamed the storms on climate change in a Twitter thread on the torrential rains.
“Orange County experienced a 1-in-1,000-year weather event last night. The rain has subsided, but the crisis is not over,” she said. “Make no mistake: This is our new normal. We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change & the last generation with a shot at doing anything about it.”
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration request from Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott, authorizing federal assistance to the areas impacted by the flooding, including the counties of Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor.
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Scott on Tuesday told people in Vermont to stay alert for continuous storm updates. “Just because the rain has stopped in some areas, does not mean the threat of flooding has gone away. Stay vigilant and stay updated,” he tweeted.
Just because the rain has stopped in some areas, does not mean the threat of flooding has gone away. Stay vigilant and stay updated:
Road Closures- https://t.co/1yTIkChKHe
Shelters- https://t.co/U1tu6Q0xLT
Alerts- Register at https://t.co/DMwd2IW5Zm— Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) July 11, 2023
Aerial footage of Montpelier, Vermont’s capital, showed the streets full of water. Local officials have warned about potential spillover from a nearby dam.
Downtown #Montpilier #Vermont #VermontFlooding #VermontFlood Aerial video from the crest this morning on the #Winooski #River @jpetramala pic.twitter.com/WUjZWuWJL4
— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) July 11, 2023
According to city officials, the recent flooding is one of the worst in nearly 100 years. “It’s not just your imagination that this is a big flood. This has been the second highest recorded Winooski River level in history, behind only the historic 1927 flood. This is higher than 1992 and both 2011 flood events,” city officials said on Facebook.
Other footage from the state showed similar scenes as water filled the roads in Barre City.
Flooding in Barre City #VT this evening. It is a very dangerous night for central Vermont. Do not travel in and around Montpelier/Barre.
???? John Bergman pic.twitter.com/0qsvRYaZrg— Jess Langlois (@JessWCAX) July 11, 2023
Fifty people have been rescued by emergency teams in Vermont, some by swift boat. New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu said he would send more boats and Black Hawk helicopters to aid in rescue efforts.