July 11, 2023
It’s not just the initial damage. It’s the wave, the second wave, and the third wave.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott referring to the ongoing flooding in Vermont and surrounding parts of the Northeast, where as much as two months worth of rain has fallen in the past two days.
Why It Matters: A series of storms have caused places in the Northeast, such as Vermont and New York, to experience widespread flooding. In Vermont's capital, Montpelier, more than 5 inches of rain fell on Monday, setting a new record for the city. As the storms subside, water continues to rise in some areas; in Vermont, officials worry about a major dam exceeding capacity and the subsequent impacts that could have as water levels build. Earlier on Tuesday, a federal emergency was declared across the state.
Something to Consider: At West Point Academy in New York, more than 7.5 inches of rain fell in six hours on Sunday. NY Governor Kathy Hochul toured the area, explaining, "Orange County experienced a 1-in-1,000-year weather event last night. The rain has subsided, but the crisis is not over."
Meanwhile, Down South: Meteorologists are forecasting potentially record-breaking heat in parts of the Southwestern U.S., as the The New York Times reports, "Experts estimate that more than 50 million people across the United States live in the areas expected to have dangerous levels of heat." What's happening? The heightened hot weather is mostly attributed to a heat dome; the National Ocean Service summarizes heat domes occur "when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid or cap."
A surging river threatens Vermont’s capital as crews rescue more than 100 from swift water
by Jenna Lee,
