Vermont flooding: ‘This is nowhere near over,’ governor says

Catastrophic floods across Vermont have destroyed homes and businesses, stranded motorists and prompted more than 115 rescues, officials said on Tuesday.

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Some areas saw upward of 9 inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday as a slow-moving storm crawled over parts of the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service. Officials said that as of Tuesday morning, crews had performed 117 rescues and more than 67 evacuations. Seventeen animals have been rescued.

“We are still in a very dangerous part of this disaster,” Mike Cannon, program coordinator for Vermont Urban Search and Rescue, said Tuesday at a news conference. “We are performing active rescues as we speak today here. We still have reports of people trapped in flooded homes and vehicles in some … areas.”

Video shared by officials on social media shows widespread flooding in Montpelier. Officials said the area was among the hardest hit, alongside Ludlow and Londonderry.

Gov. Phil Scott said he spoke with President Joe Biden on Tuesday and that the president offered the federal government’s support. Earlier in the day, Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state for flooding that began on Sunday.

“Make no mistake the devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic,” Scott said Tuesday. “Floodwaters continue to rise in some places, like our capital city, and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene.”

The governor said rain stopped Tuesday in some areas, but he warned that floodwaters may still rise.

“Even though the sun may shine later today and tomorrow, we expect more rain later this week which will have nowhere to go in the oversaturated ground,” he said.

“So, I want to be clear: We are not out of the woods. This is nowhere near over and at this phase, our primary focus continues to be on life and safety before we can shift to a recovery phase.”

No deaths or injuries were reported as of Tuesday morning, though Scott said thousands of state residents have lost their homes and businesses.

“The devastation is far-reaching,” he said.

More than a dozen swift-water rescue teams based in the state and several from Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina were working to help residents on Tuesday. Jennifer Morrison, the commissioner of Vermont’s Department of Public Safety, noted that many areas were “too dangerous for rescue by boat.”

Helicopters operated by officials with the Vermont and New Hampshire national guards were helping to evacuate people in the areas with the most devastation, where swift-water teams can’t reach.

[ New York flooding: 1 dead after heavy rain in Hudson Valley ]

“There are areas that are still being evacuated and there are life-threatening isolations that we are trying to identify and rescue,” Morrison said.

Officials urged people to heed road closures and stay away from rivers and flooded areas. Dozens of roads across the street have been closed.

“This is going to be a very long-term search and rescue operation,” Cannon said. “I expect it to take at least several days, if not longer.”

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)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Montpelier resident Lynnea Timpone paddle boards at the intersection of Main Street and East State Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Debris in the flooded Wisnooski River gets caught under a bridge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Main Street is flooded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont At the northern start of flooding on Elm Street, many people brought out their kayaks on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A person bikes around downtown once flood waters receded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Residents walk along a muddy Main Street after flood waters receded on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a kayaker paddles through the flooded waters of Elm Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Andrew Brewer, a resident of Montpelier and former business owner on Langdon Street, helps wash away the mud from the sidewalk July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont People look out on a flooded street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Debris left behind from the flooded Winooski River covers on a bridge on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Bailey Road, a clothing and home goods store on Main Street, was left severely damaged from flood waters on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a truck backs up after attempting to drive through heavily flooded waters on Elm Street on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont People kayak down Main Street after catastrophic flooding on July 11, 2023 in Montpelier, Vermont. Up to eight inches of rain fell over 48 hours and residents were warned that Wrightsville Dam could reach capacity, forcing it to release more water that could impact the downtown area. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Route 11 is flooded after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, water covers residential property on Route 11 after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Flooding behind the sign marking the towns of Windham and Londonderry on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A road is severely damaged by flooding on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A flooded road is seen on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Onlookers check out a flooded road on July 10, 2023 in Chester, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water floods around homes as the river overflows along Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A mailbox sits above water in front of a flooded property on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, a pick-up truck drives along a flooded road after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A mailbox sits in front of a flooded property on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water rushes around an SUV on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A tractor makes its way through a flooded road after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont A yard is flooded by rushing water on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont Water floods around a house on Route 11 on July 10, 2023 in Windham, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont In an aerial view, water covers Route 11 after heavy rain on July 10, 2023 in Londonderry, Vermont. Torrential rain and flooding has affected millions of people from Vermont south to North Carolina. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)