Search-and-rescue crews from Mass. assist as Vermont turns to recovery after catastrophic flooding

Vermont remains under a state of emergency Wednesday after catastrophic flooding this week washed away roads and left people stranded in their homes.

A FEMA search-and-rescue team out of Beverly was deployed to the Green Mountain State to assist residents as recovery from the historic damage gets going.

Massachusetts Task Force 1 released some images of the team at work. They are working closely with state, local and federal partners to coordinate search and rescue efforts.

Boston 25 News talked to some people who have homes in Vermont and say the damage seems to be sporadic, but it’s the areas along the rivers that are seeing the worst of it.

“We saw our road was washed out,” said Ed Schunk.

“We are in an area that is prone to flooding and they named the two towns we are from, Stamford and Wilmington as roads closed and washed out,” said Tom Gonska.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said floodwaters in some areas have surpassed levels seen during Irene back in 2011. Montpelier in particular has been hit hard.

A record-setting 5.28 inches of rain fell on the city Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Water in downtown Montpelier remained waist-deep Tuesday, shutting down roads and stranding residents.

Officials say so far there have been more than 100 rescues in the state but in some areas, the conditions are too dangerous for rescue by boat.

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Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont U.S. Geological Survey hydrographer Samuel Jacob measures the flooded Winooski River's discharge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. He said it was 15,000-16,000 cubic feet per second. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

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