Vermont turns to recovery after muddy floodwater reaches tops of parking meters in capital city

ANDOVER, Vt. (AP) — Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, allowing officials to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways, and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

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

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

“It looks like it won’t breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner,” Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode. Public works employees were expected out Wednesday to start removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

The slow-moving storm reached New England after hitting parts of New York and Connecticut on Sunday. Some communities received between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain. Towns in southwest New Hampshire had heavy flooding and road washouts, and the Connecticut River was expected to crest above flood stage Wednesday in Hartford and towns to the south.

In Vermont’s capital, brown water from the Winooski had obscured vehicles and all but the tops of parking meters along picturesque streets lined with brick storefronts whose basements and lower floors were flooded. Some residents of the city of 8,000 slogged their way through waist-high water Tuesday; others canoed and kayaked along main streets to survey the scene.

Northeast Flooding Vermont This image made from drone footage provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets shows flooding in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via AP) (Uncredited)

Northeast Flooding Dave Barrows, 71, of Ludlow, Vt., is seated in his flood-damaged yard in front of his home, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow, a day after he was evacuated from rising flood waters. The slow-moving storm unleashed rivers from their banks and caused flash flooding in parts of Vermont and New York. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)

Northeast Flooding A passer-by walks near a street damaged by flood waters, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow, Vt. A storm that dumped two months of rain in two days caused erosion along many roadways in the state. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)

Northeast Flooding Stacey Allen, co-owner of Allen Bros. in Westminster, Vt., walks though the flood waters in the early morning as the Connecticut River crested on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Northeast Flooding David Dubuis of Westminster, Vt., stands on the Route 123 Bridge between Walpole, N.H., and Westminster, watching the debris gather in the center of the bridge as water flows downstream in the Connecticut River on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Northeast Flooding Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson and State Senator Wendy Harrison look at the water levels at the Townshend Dam in Townshend, Vt., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases some of the water from the dam. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Northeast Flooding Downtown Montpelier, Vt. is flooded with several feet of water on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. One resident said several feet of water filled the lower levels of most buildings and reached to near the top of parking meters. (Bryan Pfeiffer via AP) (Bryan Pfeiffer)

Northeast Flooding A boat house in Putney, Vt., that sits along the Connecticut River floods as the water levels rise on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Northeast Flooding Robert Smith of Bellows Falls, Vt., and Annette Spaulding of Rockingham, Vt., look at the damage at the Worrall Covered Bridge in Rockingham, Vt., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, as debris from the Williams River crashes into it during the rain storm on Monday. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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)

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)

Floods in Ludlow A general view of a flooded area, in Ludlow, Vermont, U.S. July 10, 2023, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Instagram @henrysweatherchannel/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

Northeast Flooding Vermont In this image provided by Sarah Rogers, a kayaker paddle through floodwaters along Elm Street in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Sarah Rogers via AP) (Sarah Rogers)

Northeast Flooding Vermont In this image provided by Sarah Rogers, two kayakers paddle through floodwaters as they approach the School Street Bridge in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Sarah Rogers via AP) (Sarah Rogers)

Northeast Flooding Vermont In this image provided by Sarah Rogers, three people in a canoe paddle through floodwaters along Elm Street in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Sarah Rogers via AP) (Sarah Rogers)

Northeast Flooding This photo provided by Andrew Marchev shows flooding in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from the third floor of Marchev's apartment building. (Andrew Marchev via AP) (Andrew Marchev)

Northeast Flooding Pedestrians navigate floodwaters outside City Hall, Monday, July 10, 2023, in downtown Montpelier, Vt. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus via AP) (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

Northeast Flooding A kayaker paddles across Main Street in downtown Barre, Vt., on Monday night, July 10, 2023. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus via AP) (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

Northeast Flooding Montpelier resident Ben Cheney and a companion survey rising floodwaters at the intersection of State and Main streets in downtown Montpelier, Vt., on Monday night, July 10, 2023. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus via AP) (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

Northeast Flooding Kip Roberts, co-owner of Onion River Outdoors, wades through water in the basement of his Montpelier, Vt., shop Monday afternoon, July 10, 2023, as floodwaters continued to rise in the Capital City. Dozens of community supporters joined the store's staff in moving merchandise to higher ground in anticipation of worsening flood conditions predicted for Monday night. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus via AP) (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

Northeast Flooding The Quirky Pet owner Cindra Conison, right, and her husband Richard Sheir leave their shop on Monday night, July 10, 2023, in downtown Montpelier, Vt. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus via AP) (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

Northeast Flooding Floodwaters rise in Bridgewater, Vt., on Monday, July 10, 2023, submerging parked vehicles and threatening homes near the Ottauquechee River. Heavy rain drenched part of the Northeast, washing out roads, forcing evacuations and halting some airline travel. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) (Hasan Jamali)

Northeast Flooding Floodwaters rise in Bridgewater, Vt., Monday, July 10, 2023, submerging parked vehicles and threatening homes near the Ottauquechee River. Heavy rain drenched part of the Northeast, washing out roads, forcing evacuations and halting some airline travel. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) (Hasan Jamali)

Northeast Flooding A man carries belongings through floodwaters from a home in Bridgewater, Vt., Monday, July 10, 2023. Heavy rain drenched part of the Northeast, washing out roads, forcing evacuations and halting some airline travel. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) (Hasan Jamali)

Northeast Flooding Nancy Cain, of Brattleboro, Vt., walks her dog Zephyr as the rain pours down near the West River in Brattleboro, Vt., Monday, July 10, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

First responders calling Lawrence County flooding some of the worst they’ve seen in years First responders calling Lawrence County flooding some of the worst they’ve seen in years

Northeast Flooding People look as as docks and boats are washed away on the West River in Brattleboro, Vt., near The Marina, Monday, July 10, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Northeast Flooding Trailers are evacuated at the Tri-Park Co-Op Housing in Brattleboro, Vt., as the water in the Whetstone Brook crests, Monday, July 10, 2023. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) (Kristopher Radder)

Bryan Pfeiffer canoed around downtown to check out the damage and was appalled by what he saw. The basement of every building — including the one where he works — and the lower levels of most were inundated. Even the city’s fire station was flooded.

“It’s really troubling when your fire station is underwater,” Pfeiffer said.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene. Irene killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 100 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said Tuesday.

One of the worst-hit places was New York’s Hudson Valley, where a woman identified by police as Pamela Nugent, 43, died as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog in the hamlet of Fort Montgomery.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planet’s rising temperatures will only make it worse.

In Vermont, more rain was forecast Thursday and Friday, but Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the state will be spared any further torrential downpours.

Much of the focus turned to reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris from water-logged businesses.

“We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm,” Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said as he assessed the flood’s impact around the town of 1,500 people.

Among the losses was the town’s water treatment plant. Its main supermarket remained closed. The main roadway through town had yet to be fully reopened and McNamara couldn’t begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged. The town’s Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed, and scores of businesses were damaged.

“Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life,” McNamara said. “Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.”

Colleen Dooley returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow on Tuesday to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

“I don’t know when we’ll move back, but it will certainly be awhile,” said Dooley, a retired teacher.

President Joe Biden, attending the annual NATO summit in Lithuania, declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance.

FEMA sent a team to Vermont, along with emergency communications equipment, and was prepared to keep shelters supplied if the state requests it. The agency also monitored flooding in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, regional spokesperson Dennis Pinkham said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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