Recap
That’s all for today.
In the northeast, Vermont’s capital Montpelier was innundated. Floodwaters were waist high, and a nearby dam stabilized at maximum capacity, just in time to avoid a catastrophic overflow.
Meanwhile, a sweltering heatwave stretched across the southern United States. Phoenix, Arizona saw its 12th consecutive day of 110F weather. Deadly heat is expected to intensify this week, affecting residents in the three most populous US states.
The rains are expected to abate in Vermont tomorrow, but flooding risks remain.
“An approaching cold front entering New England on Thursday along with elevated atmospheric moisture content will allow for showers and thunderstorms to develop over a region still recovering from recent flooding,” according to the National Weather Service. “A slight risk of excessive Reinfall is in effect for Thursday across much of Vermont, eastern New York, and neighboring New Hampshire as a few additional inches of rainfall are possible and could locally exacerbate flooding concerns.”
In Montpelier, Vermont, officials say the emergency order closing the flooded downtown was no longer in effect.
“However, the downtown area remains flooded and is not safe for public travel. Unless you are a business owner making a necessary visit to your store, please avoid Downtown Montpelier until emergency crews have had time to assess the damage and assure public safety,” officials said in an update.
The Wrightsville Dam, near the city, has been holding steady at maximum capacity.
More than 68 million people in the United States are currently face extreme weather alerts, according to a tracking tool developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Since 1 May, nearly three quarters of all Americans have faced risks from wildfires, flooding, tropical storms and extreme heat.
Here’s more on how the UCS tracks extreme weather impacts:
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The three most populous states facing extreme heatwave
The sweltering heat will build this weekend, the National Weather Service predicts, sweeping from California through Arizona, Texas and Florida.
Dangerous heat will build in the western US by the weekend. Yeah, it's summer, but this is especially notable given how far above normal readings will be. Numerous high temperature records are forecast to be broken Saturday through Monday. https://t.co/Ynl3VCdFFD pic.twitter.com/nwvuzEDe8Y
— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 11, 2023
In Phoenix, temperatures are predicted to surpass 110F (43C) and climb above 115F toward the end of the week.
In California’s Death Valley, temperatures above 120F (49C) are expected. There’s a chance 2021’s record 130F will be matched this weekend.
In Texas, which has seen weeks of punishing weather, temperatures will remain above 100 or 105F (38 to 40C).
Temperatures in Florida will be closer to 95F (35C) but extreme humidity will add to the health risks residents face.
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Catastrophic floods around the world trigger warnings that climate crisis is intensifying
Heatwaves in Texas may push the demand of electric grid to new records.
The state may have enough reserves to avoid a disruption in power, as seen in other weather events, the Hill reports.
Demand on the grid reached an all-time record on 27 June, with nearly 81 gigawatts of demand, Reuters reported. Demand on the grid is expected to hit 83.6 gigawatts on Tuesday and 84.4 gigawatts on Wednesday as the state deals with extreme heat, the Hill reported.
Read the full Hill article here.
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Most national television stations are not reporting that heatwaves are connected to climate change.
A report by Media Matters found that only 5% of national televisions stations reported that US heatwaves and extreme heat last month in Texas and other parts of the southwest were connected to climate change.
Over a two-week period from June 15-29, an analysis by Media Matters found:
- Only 5% of the 310 segments and weathercasts about the heat wave across national TV news mentioned climate change.
- Major cable news networks – CNN, Fox News Channel, and MSNBC aired 187 segments or weathercasts about the heat wave, but only 8 mentioned climate change. MSNBC mentioned the connection between the extreme heat and climate change 5 times and CNN mentioned it 3.
- Corporate broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, and NBC – aired a combined 123 segments or weathercasts that discussed the heat wave, but only 7 mentioned climate change. ABC led the way with 5 mentions, while CBS and NBC each mentioned the connection between extreme heat and climate change once.
Read the full article here.
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Texas is also facing an intense heatwave this week, with temperatures expected to feel above 110F, the Chron reported.
The latest heatwave comes as Texas’ grid experienced record-high energy demand after high temperatures in late June.
A heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of east and southeast Texas, the Chron reported. Temperatures are expected to feel like 108F on Tuesday and Wednesday in the area.
Read the full Chron article here.
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Montpelier police say downtown area is 'active emergency area'
The Montpelier police department have announced that there have been no changes in water level of the Wrightsville Dam.
A representative of the Vermont Dam Safety said that the dam should experience minimal rises in water, according to an update posted to Facebook by Montpelier police.
Police added that the downtown area of Montpelier is still an “active emergency area” and warned residents to avoid the area.
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Las Vegas could also see the mercury reach between 110F and 115F this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, temperatures were forecast to be between 100F and 103F on Tuesday with a heat advisory in effect all day.
Inland areas of southern California are predicted to see conditions peak between 100F and 113F from Friday through Sunday.
While Vermont was struggling with floods, Phoenix was baking in the heat.
Martin Brown and his black Labrador, Sammy, told the AP how they escaped the heat on Monday in the lobby of Circle the City, an air-conditioned walk-in health clinic for homeless people that is also a designated hydration station. Anyone can come in, sit and get bottled water or snacks like a burrito or ramen.
“We’re homeless, so we don’t have a choice. Well, we have a choice: We can sit at the park and swelter in the heat, but no thank you. This is much better,” Brown said.
He spends five days a week there during business hours and then takes the bus to spend nights at the park to escape the “jungle hot” time of day.
Here are some more pictures from the newswires about the flooding damage caused in Vermont and how people are dealing with the deluge:
Vermont flooding 'nowhere near over', says governor
Vermont’s governor Phil Scott gave a press conference earlier, saying that while the sun was expected to come out in Montpelier, the flooding was “nowhere near over”.
He was speaking as his state was dealing with up to two months’ worth of rain in two days. The rain had left “countless” roads washed out.
Scott told the press conference: “Make no mistake, the devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic. Floodwaters continue to rise in some places, like our capital city, and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene.”
He added: “The good news is the rain has stopped in some areas but that does not mean waters will immediately recede. They may, in fact, continue to 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.
“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 into a recovery phase.”
Updated
Millions across the US are experiencing the physical effects of extreme heat. The Guardian’s Aliya Uteuova explains how increasingly hot temperatures can impact the body.
…What is heat stress and what causes it?
It occurs when the body experiences a buildup of heat, at a level that is more than what it can release. “The human body has this fantastic ability to cool through sweat evaporation,” said Uwe Reischl, professor in the school of public and population health at Boise State University. But even when the body is producing sweat, the evaporation can be limited due to humidity in the air.
Another factor that causes body temperature to increase is when a person wears clothing that prevents sweat from being released from skin. And when the body doesn’t have enough water, it becomes dehydrated to the point that it isn’t able to produce sweat any more.
How is it connected to the ongoing heat dome phenomenon?
Warm air is able to hold more moisture than cold air. “So the warmer the heat dome, the higher humidity levels,” said Reischl. Urban environments with lots of buildings, paved roadways and parking lots exacerbate the likelihood of heat stress, as they absorb heat from the sun (and release it) throughout the day.
Read the full article here.
Here are photos of flooding in Montpelier, VT--as roads, downtown centers, and other areas experience major flooding.
Joe Biden approves emergency declaration for Vermont
Earlier Tuesday, Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Vermont amid extreme flooding.
The declaration orders federal assistance for the state. The counties included in the declaration include: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor, according to a White House statement.
Some areas of Vermont received up to 9 inches of rain, the National Weather Service reported.
State authorities have warned that the flooding is life-threatening, as over 100 rescues have occurred so far.
Read the full declaration here.
Updated
Sections of a major interstate in Vermont has reopened after being closed due to flash flooding.
Interstate 89, an interstate highway in the New England region, was closed overnight after flooding impacted parts of the interstate. 78 other state roads have closed amid intense rain.
From WCAX’s Darren Perron:
Interstate 89 in #Vt reopened between Montpelier and Middlesex. We've learned there have been more than 100 rescues so far. We begin a special report at 11am, including an update from @GovPhilScott, who used a @VTVast trail to get to work. Join us for latest at 11am on @wcax.
— Darren Perron (@WCAX_Darren) July 11, 2023
Amid road closures, Governor Phil Scott shared via Twitter that he had to hike to work through a trail maintained by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers.
The roads around my house were completely impassable this morning. Grateful for the @VTVast snowmobile trail network, which I was able to hike through to get to an open road and on to our emergency response center. pic.twitter.com/E6ckLMkleM
— Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) July 11, 2023
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Fears Vermont dam could overflow and worsen Montpelier flooding
City officials are raising concerns that a dam near Montpelier would overflow given intense flooding, spilling excess water into Montpelier’s downtown area.
Early Tuesday, Montpelier police warned of a “potentially dangerous situation” involving the Wrightsville Dam near the city.
The dam had only 6ft of storage capacity left at around 4.00 am eastern standard, as officials warned that water could spill over into Vermont’s North Branch river and increase flooding damage in Montpelier.
“This has never happened since the dam was built so there is no precedent for potential damage,” wrote police in a warning posted to social media.
As of 11.44 am, the dam has only 1 foot of capacity remaining, the Montpelier Bridge reports.
Wrightsville Dam is just one-foot from capacity as of 11:30 a.m. according to @vtmontpelier . "Every additional foot of water that goes over the spillway doubles the amount of water entering the City from the dam. We are continuing to monitor this situation." #vermontflood2023 pic.twitter.com/9otmCiBnMo
— Montpelier Bridge (@montpbridge) July 11, 2023
Updated
Montpelier, Vermont’s capital city, has seen intense overnight flooding as officials warn that such levels have not been seen since 2011 Hurricane Irene.
“Make no mistake, the devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic. Floodwaters continue to rise in some places, like our capital city, and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene,” said Scott during a Tuesday morning press conference.
The city’s downtown area is almost completely submerged, according to videos shared online.
From photographer Brandon Clement:
#Montpellier #flooding #Vermont #Winooski #River pic.twitter.com/OQgqICrh1b
— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) July 11, 2023
Rescue efforts continue in Vermont’s urban areas after intense flooding shut down roadways and trapped residents in their homes.
Amid flooding, Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration to send federal aid to Vermont on Tuesday. The declaration allows for the Federal emergency management agency (Fema) to provide aid to the state amid the flash flooding.
NBC10 Boston reports that 117 rescues and at least 67 evacuations from homes, businesses, and vehicles have taken place. 17 animals have also been reportedly rescued.
78 state roads are still closed.
From NBC10 Boston’s Bianca Beltrán’:
Update from Vermont Urban search and rescue this morning: they have done 117 rescues, 67+ evacuations from flooded homes and businesses, or vehicles, 17 animals rescued
— Bianca Beltrán (@BiancaNBCBoston) July 11, 2023
There are still people trapped in homes and vehicles and 78 state roads are closed. https://t.co/f6Fr8LWaWy
Updated
In Phoenix, record heat is expected to last well into the week.
Low temperatures range from 89F to the mid-90’s. Meanwhile, forecasters say that Phoenix might reach temperatures of 118F. Phoenix is also expected to break the record for the most consecutive number of 110F days.
Phoenix 5-Day Forecast: Prolonged heat continues, as Major HeatRisk by mid week increases to Extreme HeatRisk in localized areas this weekend. High terrain t-storms have a low ~5% chance of reaching the metro area today/Wed with a higher chance (~10-15%) on Tues evening. #azwx pic.twitter.com/ieRgH5O3OB
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 10, 2023
An excessive heat warning is in place for the metro area, and other parts of south central Arizona.
Phoenix officials and weather experts have warned residents to remain in air-conditioned spaces, if possible; drink water; wear light clothing; and check in on neighbors, family, and friends during heat waves.
With dangerous heat continuing this week, take the proper safety precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect across the lower deserts through next weekend. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/3ZS9Q8Mm3v
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 9, 2023
42m under heat advisory as heatwave hits south and south-west
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of extreme heat across the US.
Forty-two million people in the south and south-western US are under heat advisories, Axios reports. In Phoenix, Arizona, temperatures are forecast to hit up to 118F (48C), according to the National Weather Service.
Phoenix has already had 10 consecutive days where temperatures were above 110F. Experts believe that this week’s weather could break previous records of the most consecutive number of days above 110F, currently at 18 recorded in 1974, NPR reports.
Swaths of Florida are also experiencing extreme heat. In south Florida, the area’s heat index – what the temperature feels like – has ranged from 105 to 110F, NPR reports. Florida’s oceans also recorded high temperatures, with forecasters warning that warmer waters could make hurricanes and tropical storms stronger.
Intense storms hit parts of Vermont and upstate New York, causing flooding that trapped dozens in their cars and killed at least one person, the Washington Post reported. The flooding is the worst the areas has seen since Hurricane Ida two years ago, which killed 107 people and caused $75.3bn in damage.
We will bring you the latest extreme weather news from across the US. Follow along for more updates.
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