Vermonters in Morgan, near the Canadian border, are dealing with the aftermath of violent flooding that occurred just weeks after a more widespread flooding event in the state. Residents are removing debris and silt from their houses and yards, while crews work on repairing roads. The flooding early Tuesday morning caused significant damage, with sections of roads being washed away and leaving some residents stranded. The Morley family in Morgan had their house and foundation damaged by the flooding, with rocks, silt, and debris covering their yard and dock. The flooding also affected Toad Pond Road, which was crumbled and washed away in parts.
Residents in Morgan had to evacuate in the early hours of Tuesday, walking through knee-deep rushing water with the help of neighbors. The town received over 6 inches of rain in about three hours, overwhelming roads and causing damage to home foundations. Gov. Phil Scott expressed his dismay at the latest storms undoing much of the cleanup and recovery work done in the past three weeks since the previous major flooding. He called on residents to stick together and fight back against feelings of defeat. State officials estimated that 50 homes were either destroyed or significantly damaged, with roads closed and water supply interruptions in some towns.
The flooding in Vermont has caused a tremendous amount of damage to state and town roads, with more than half a dozen roads closed and contaminated wells in certain areas. Democratic U.S. Sen. Peter Welch urged Congress to pass a supplemental disaster aid package to help with recovery efforts. Welch emphasized the need for federal support in situations like this, stressing the importance of all states helping each other in times of crisis. Vermont had experienced major flooding earlier in July caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, which also resulted in destruction of roads, inundated farms, and bridge closures. The latest flooding comes exactly a year after a previous severe flooding event hit Vermont and other states.
As residents continue to clean up and assess the damage caused by the recent flooding, efforts are being made to repair roads and restore essential services like water supply. The community in Morgan and other affected areas are coming together to support each other through this challenging time, with Gov. Phil Scott emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience in the face of natural disasters. State and federal officials are calling for assistance and support from lawmakers to provide the necessary resources for recovery and rebuilding efforts. While Vermont has faced multiple flooding events in a short timeframe, the resilience and strength of its residents shine through as they work towards restoring their communities back to normalcy.
