![The Vermont Statehouse on Monday evening - KEVIN MCCALLUM ©️ SEVEN DAYS](https://media1.sevendaysvt.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/blog/38635936/statehouse2.jpg)
- Kevin McCallum ©️ Seven Days
- The Vermont Statehouse on Monday evening
A severe storm slamming Vermont has dumped several inches of rain, flooded dozens of roads and led to water rescues. As major rivers rose, floodwaters filled the streets of communities including downtown Montpelier.
The storm has the potential to drop even more rain over a longer period of time than Tropical Storm Irene, which in 2011 caused $750 million in damage.
Gov. Phil Scott, who declared a state of emergency on Sunday afternoon in advance of the storm, said he was worried that the rising creeks and rivers will endanger residents, hamper rescue efforts and delay assessments of storm damage.
“It’s not the just initial damage,” Scott said. “It’s the second wave and the third wave.”
Virtually the entire state was under a flash flood warning. The National Weather Service reported at 7:30 a.m. that nearly five inches of rain had fallen in Chester overnight, with several more inches expected. Closer to seven inches of rain was reported in some parts of the state later in the day.
The rising Winooski River was to crest in Montpelier shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday at 22.7 feet, which is five feet above major flood stage, according to the National Weather Service. As of 8:15 p.m. on Monday, water was pouring down State Street in front of the Statehouse and threatening downtown businesses.
The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter in Barre at 3 p.m. on Monday for those forced from their homes. It's at the Barre City Auditorium, 16 Auditorium Hill. Users should bring food, essentials such as prescriptions, clothes and chargers.
Emergency officials warned Vermonters not to attempt to drive through standing water on roads.
By 9 p.m., teams had conducted more than 50 rescues, according to the state.
A state park in Plymouth was evacuated, and dams in Jamaica and Calais were being closely watched to ensure their integrity, Cannon said.
![Residents tending to an old dam at Curtis Pond in Calais - JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR](https://media1.sevendaysvt.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/blog/38633668/curtis-pond-dam.jpg)
- Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
- Residents tending to an old dam at Curtis Pond in Calais
Community members were using tractors to dig drainage holes in the dam in an attempt to alleviate water pressure. Jamie Moorby, a member of the Calais Selectboard, is looking into acquiring a water pump to assist in the drainage efforts.
“It’s unknown what is going to happen,” Moorby said. “But it’s a dramatic series of events unfolding.”
![Flood water covering River Road in Berlin on Monday morning - JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR](https://media1.sevendaysvt.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/blog/38633666/flooding-jeb-2-1-.jpg)
- Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
- Flood water covering River Road in Berlin on Monday morning
“South Londonderry is inaccessible right now,” Cannon said.
Scott said the state had learned a great deal about flooding from Irene and spent a considerable amount of money and time rebuilding the hardest-hit areas and armoring them against future floods.
![Downtown Montpelier as the Winooski River rose on Monday evening - KEVIN MCCALLUM ©️ SEVEN DAYS](https://media1.sevendaysvt.com/sevendaysvt/imager/u/blog/38635656/image0000-6-.jpg)
- Kevin McCallum ©️ Seven Days
- Downtown Montpelier as the Winooski River rose on Monday evening
Joe Flynn, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, listed dozens of road closures, including parts of Route 100 in Plymouth, Route 14 in Williamstown, Route 131 in Cavendish and Route 12 in Bethel. For a complete list, click here.
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