Significant flash flooding leaves at least 2 dead in Vermont as Beryl’s remnants pound New England
At least two people have been killed in Vermont as widespread flash flooding occurred in parts of the Northeast and New England Wednesday amid torrential rain from the remnants of what was once Hurricane Beryl.
BERYL'S REMNANTS TRIGGER REGIONAL TORNADO OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK, FLASH FLOODING IN NEW ENGLAND
Bridges and roads across the region washed out, and over 100 high-water rescues were conducted as a result of the flooding.
In Lyndonville, Vermont, a 73-year-old man was spotted driving into a flooded road, according to Chief Jack Harris of Lyndonville Police. Moments later, swift currents carried his car off the road and about 250 feet into a nearby hay field where the car sank in 10 feet of water, police said. It took two hours to locate the vehicle and the driver was later pronounced dead.
Vermont Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said the other death was an unidentified victim, believed to be a man from Peacham. But she said it has not been confirmed if the death was weather-related, pending an autopsy.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said that on Wednesday he signed an amendment to the existing state of emergency that had been in effect due to the catastrophic flooding the region suffered exactly one year ago to continue to access state resources.
Flash Flood Warnings were issued across portions of northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire as many areas picked up between 3-5 inches, with some locally higher amounts reaching more than 6 inches. Montpelier, Vermont picked up just over 3 inches of rain while Hinesburg receiving nearly 7 inches.
Over in New York, Lowville received 6.02 inches of rain, setting its all-time record for daily rainfall by more than an inch. The station has been in operation since 1891.
Vermont’s Department of Emergency Management said in a Thursday morning update that damage from Wednesday’s flash flooding was extensive, and significant damage has been found across the central part of the state.
Officials said Vermont’s Urban Search and Rescue teams and the Vermont National Guard are on the ground assisting hard-hit communities with evacuations and swift water rescues. Officials said more than 100 people were rescued from high waters.
"There have been several evacuations and road closures around the state due to flash flooding, primarily in central Vermont," officials said.
The water on many streams and rivers is running high and fast, and officials said debris is being washed downstream.
Many rivers in the area reached flood stage, including the Winsooki River which reached major flood stage, and crested only 2 feet under the levels reached during the devastating floods of 2023.
The National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine, said the heavy precipitation continued well into the overnight and early morning hours on Thursday with additional ongoing flooding.
A video recorded in Barre, Vermont, showed flooded streets with barrels and trash cans floating in the water.
Storm spotters have submitted numerous reports of washed-out roads and bridges in areas such as Monroe, Littleton and Lancaster in New Hampshire.
There have also been several reports of people needing to be rescued from vehicles stuck in the floodwaters in Littleton, including one after a car was left dangling over a bridge that had washed out.
Another bridge washed out in nearby Lisbon.
People needed rescue in Plainfield, Vermont, after a building suffered a partial collapse, according to the NWS. And at least five people needed to be rescued in Lyndonville, Vermont, as high water rushed over roads in town.
Another video showed a massive sinkhole that opened up as a result of the flooding in the Vermont community of Barnet. The video shows the road ripped apart in front of the Barnet Village Store on Route 5.
Original article source: Significant flash flooding leaves at least 2 dead in Vermont as Beryl’s remnants pound New England
