New York and Vermont have been severely affected by torrential rainfall, leading to flash floods in the northeast region of the United States. The excessive rain has resulted in road washouts, overwhelmed rivers, and numerous swift boat rescues. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches and warnings, covering areas from eastern New York state to Boston and western Maine to the northeast.
According to AccuWeather, the estimated damages and economic loss caused by the floods amount to $3 billion to $5 billion. As a result of the heavy rains, over 1,000 flights to and from airports in the region have been delayed or canceled. The rail service between Albany and New York City has also been suspended due to track damage.
With more rain expected overnight, New York and Vermont remain the hardest hit states, further exacerbating the flood hazards, as warned by the National Weather Service.
Flooding in Vermont:
The flooding in Vermont is reported to be the most severe since Hurricane Irene struck the state as a tropical storm in 2011. Governor Phil Scott has declared it an “all-hands-on-deck” event. Videos shared on social media depict streets resembling raging rivers, and around 50 isolated individuals have been rescued by swift boats, according to Mark Bosma, spokesperson for Vermont Emergency Management. Officials anticipate a rise in river levels overnight and urge residents to be vigilant and seek higher ground promptly.
Mark Bosma emphasized, “We really want people to be hyper vigilant and monitoring the weather and don’t wait too long to get higher ground.”
He further mentioned a specific incident: “A bridge washed out, and that was the only way in or out. The call for help went out at 4 a.m., and they set up a swift-boat rescue. Everyone is safe this morning.”
Situation in New York:
New York has experienced over 8 inches of rainfall. Tragically, a woman lost her life after being swept away by floodwaters while attempting to evacuate her home with her dog, as confirmed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Distressing videos and photos circulating on social media show washed-out roads and floodwaters reaching houses.
Residents have shared their experiences, with one person exclaiming, “Oh my God. It’s up to my knees,” as floodwaters rushed past her in Orange County.
