by Gov. Phil Scott said it’s important for Vermontans to be vigilant, and that includes staying out of the water.
“We have seen many photos on social networks of children swimming in the floods. This isn’t your typical rainwater – it’s full of chemicals, oil, debris, and more. It’s just not safe,” she said.
Other southern New England states were also drying up, including Connecticut, where officials warned boaters and others about hazardous debris in the Connecticut River, including large trees. A dock with several boats attached to it was washed away in Glastonbury, just south of Hartford, and was seen floating down the river a few towns away.
in Vermont, communities were cleaning of floods that were more destructive in some places than Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and considered the worst natural disaster since the 1927 floods, which killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction.
Transportation officials were moving equipment to areas considered more prone to flooding to prepare for more storms while continuing to assess damage, including to rail tracks. Amtrak and other rail services have been suspended.
Scott submitted a major disaster declaration request to President Joe Biden. “It is separate from and in addition to the federal emergency declaration that the president already signed” on Tuesday, he said. If approved, the declaration would provide federal support for recovering communities.
In the small Vermont state capital of Montpelier, where the rising Winooski River had flooded downtown, the City Hall elevator was damaged, rendering the building inaccessible, spokeswoman Evelyn Prim said.
“Cleaning up dangerous flood damage at City Hall is expected to take several months. Because of this, City Hall will be closed until further notice,” he said.
Offers of help poured in, including free pet food from a Morrisville animal shelter and a donation of non-perishable food and water at the University of Vermont. A Vermont Main Street Flood Relief Fund was established to assist small businesses and the Vermont Community Foundation established a fund to aid long-term efforts for individuals and communities. An annual concert, the make the good festival in Montpelier, it will be broadcast live and will act as a fundraiser.
“One of the defining truths of Vermont is that Vermonters look out for one another,” said Dan Smith, executive director of the foundation. “We saw it during the pandemic; we saw it during tropical storm Irene.”
