Flooding occurred in the northeastern US as a result of the rain. The state of Vermont, where a dam threatens to overflow, is also affected. President Biden declared a state of emergency.
After flooding caused by heavy rains, US President Joe Biden declared a disaster for the US state of Vermont. This allows federal resources to be released for relief measures. According to authorities, more than 100 people were rescued from cars and homes.
Dam threatens to overflow
The move came after authorities warned that a dam was about to overflow six kilometers north of Montpelier, the state capital. “This has never happened since the dam was built, so it’s not clear what damage could result,” said Montpelier city manager William Fraser, referring to the Wrightsville dam.
Thus, the dam is approaching the point where an overflow canal would have to direct water into the north arm of the Winooski River. This would make flooding in Montpelier worse. The city center of 8,000 people was underwater after the rains. The photos showed, among other things, canoeists paddling across a flooded road. Initially, there were no reports of deaths or injuries.
“The destruction and flooding we are witnessing is historic and catastrophic,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. The flooding exceeded “the magnitude of Tropical Storm Irene”, which killed six people in the state in 2011.
Heavy rains in several states
In the northeastern United States, including the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, it rained heavily the day before. Bridges were destroyed and roads were impassable, images released by authorities showed. A woman died in upstate New York. The region around the Hudson River, which leads to New York City, was particularly affected.
The flood coincides with a number of other extreme weather events in North America and around the world. Canada is experiencing an unprecedentedly severe wildfire season, with thick clouds of smoke covering even several major US cities such as New York and Chicago. In addition, a heat wave is advancing towards the southwest of the USA – temperatures of almost 50 degrees are feared in the city of Phoenix, Arizona.