Vermont residents woke up to a calmer weather forecast on Thursday, with no flood warnings in place following a series of damaging storms. The state experienced downpours on Wednesday night, with St. Johnsbury, Vermont, receiving less than an inch of rain after a deluge of over 8 inches earlier in the week.
Governor Phil Scott expressed concern at a news conference, stating that the recent storms had reversed much of the progress made in recovery efforts from the previous flooding. He urged residents to stand united in the face of adversity and continue the cleanup efforts.
Preliminary reports indicated that 50 homes were either destroyed or significantly damaged, with more than half a dozen roads closed due to the impact of the storms. A lightning strike disrupted water supply in St. Johnsbury, while flooding contaminated wells serving the village of Lyndonville.
In response to the crisis, Democratic U.S. Senator Peter Welch called on Congress to pass a disaster aid package to assist communities grappling with the aftermath of wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. He emphasized the importance of federal support in the recovery process and stressed the need for unity and cooperation in times of crisis.
This latest round of flooding comes on the heels of severe weather in July, triggered by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. The state had previously faced significant flooding exactly a year ago, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events.
As Vermont residents rally to address the damage caused by the recent storms, the call for federal assistance remains a critical priority to facilitate recovery efforts and ensure the well-being of affected communities.
