Vermont’s capital was inundated with floodwaters and the Montpelier Upstream Dam was at full capacity on Tuesday after a “catastrophic” flood blocked roads and trapped people in their homes. With water invading the city, flooding cars and streets, some residents have resorted to canoes to get around.
The Wrightsville Dam, which forms a reservoir 4 miles north of Montpelier, is nearing a tipping point where it may have to release water into the North Branch of the Winooski River, according to city officials. The US National Weather Service warns that the measure could exacerbate “catastrophic” flooding in the picturesque downtown area of Montpellier, where people roamed flooded streets in boats and floodwaters reached windows and rooftops. vehicles.
According to climate scientists, the increased frequency and severity of bad weather in the United States is a symptom of human-caused global climate change.
“Make no mistake, The devastation and flooding we are witnessing in Vermont is historic and catastrophicVermont Gov. Phil Scott said at a news briefing on Tuesday.
Montpellier City Manager William Fraser, in a Facebook post, urged the city’s 8,000 residents to prepare to move to the upper floors of their homes, as highway closures made evacuations difficult or impossible.
Across the state, search teams have rescued 117 people from their homes and cars in speedboats, while authorities have received calls that more people are trapped in their homes in remote areas, said Mike Cannon, the search and rescue commander. state, in instructions.
Vermont officials described the flooding as the worst since the hurricane. Erin It hit New England as a tropical storm in 2011 and caused an estimated $750 million in damage and seven deaths in the state.
Connor Casey, a Montpelier city council member, said the city’s topography — surrounded by hills and the city center in a valley — increases the potential for flooding.
The flood had consequences for the regional economy, with private meteorological company AccuWeather estimating damage and economic losses at between $3 and $5 billion (equivalent to €2.6 to €4.5 billion).
“It’s horrific and tragic, but fortunately no one was hurt,” said Joe Miles, 59, owner of Montpelier-based RK Miles Building Materials. “Let’s get over this.”
While the capital of a northeastern state lies underwater, ocean temperatures have risen to 32°C in Florida, Texas is blazing under a heat dome and California is bracing for temperatures of up to 49°C in desert areas this weekend.
