Floods in the United States: Vermont declared a disaster

Floods occurred in the northeastern United States as a result of the rains. Vermont is also affected, as the dam now threatens to overflow. President Biden declared a state of emergency.

After the floods caused by heavy rains, US President Joe Biden declared a disaster for the US state of Vermont. This allows for the release of federal funds for relief measures. According to the authorities, more than 100 people were rescued from cars and homes.

The dam threatens to flood

The move came after officials warned a dam was about to overflow four miles north of Montpelier, the state capital. “This hasn’t happened since the dam was built, so it’s not clear what the damage was,” said Montpelier city manager William Fraser, referring to the Wrightsville Dam.

Accordingly, the dam is approaching the point where the overflow channel should direct water to the north arm of the Winooski River. This would exacerbate flooding within Montpellier. The city center of 8,000 people was flooded after it rained. The photos showed, among other things, rowing boats across a flooded road. Initially, there were no reports of deaths or injuries.

“The devastation and flooding we are witnessing is historic and catastrophic,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. The floods exceeded the force 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, heavy rain fell the day before. Footage released by the authorities showed bridges washed away and roads made impassable. A woman has died in upstate New York. The area 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 a number of major US cities such as New York and Chicago. In addition, a heat wave is heading to the southwest of the USA – it is feared that temperatures will reach nearly 50 degrees in Phoenix, Arizona.