Flooding concerns continue across Vermont as rescue crews prepare for the worst as more storms threaten the state.
The Ball Mountain and Townshend Dams were initially expected to release“large quantities of water”as a result of the flooding, which officials feared would cause “severe” flooding downstream, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New England District.
Now, both dams are expected to release water “insmaller amountsthan previously anticipated.”
Ottauquechee River in Vermont.Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty
Meanwhile, the Wrightsville Dam hadjust six feetof storage capacity left as of Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Montpelier City Manager William Fraser. Around noon, officials said that “waters are still rising at the dam and areapproaching approximately 1 foot from the spillway.”
Water would be released into the North Branch River should the dam exceed capacity, leaving the state capital at risk of sustaining further flood damage, according to Frasier.
Scott Eisen/Getty
“Unfortunately, there are very few evacuation options remaining,” the city manager said Tuesday. Fraser also suggested those living who have not fled the area seek higher ground, such as the “upper floors” of their houses.
“This has never happened since the dam was built so there is no precedent for potential damage,” the official added. “There would be a large amount of water coming into Montpelier which would drastically add to the existing flood damage.”
Flooding in Londonderry, Vermont.Scott Eisen/Getty
“Multiple water rescue teams” have made their way to Montpelier,Police Chief Eric Nordensonsaid in a separate statement.
By 10 a.m. Tuesday, crews saw"a slight reduction"in water levels in Montpelier’s downtown area, according to the Montpelier Police Department.
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As of Tuesday morning, portions of southern and central Vermont have seen between seven and nine inches of rain, according to theNational Weather Service in Burlington.
The Winooski River reached itssecond-highest water level ever, “behind only the historic 1927 flood,” according to the City of Montpelier.
“We have not seen rainfall like this since Irene,” Governor Phil Scott said, referring to the tropical storm that hit the state in August 2011, according tothe Associated Press.
Flood waters in Waitsfield, Vermont.Universal Images Group via Getty
Universal Images Group via Getty
However, Irene only lasted 24 hours. “We’re getting just as much rain, if not more. It’s going on for days,” Scott said. “That’s my concern. It’s not just the initial damage. It’s the wave, the second wave, and the third wave.”
“Make no mistake, the devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic," he added.
PresidentJoe Bidenhas approved a request “for an emergency declaration covering all 14 counties” in Vermont, Scottsaid in a tweetearly Tuesday morning.
The state will dry off some on Tuesday and Wednesday, butstorms returnThursday and Friday, according to Vermont Emergency Management.
More than 6,800 Vermont residents were without power Tuesday morning, according toVTOutages.org.
source: people.com
