August 29, 2011
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley
One day after what had been Hurricane Irene passed over much of the East Coast, officials in Vermont have declared the state a federal disaster area as residents there make flood insurance claims following the storm.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said the flooding was the worst seen in the state in 100 years, with more than 260 roads along with many other properties sustaining significant damage.
With runoff from the storm, many normally calm waterways ran high. Officials told the new York Times that the usually sedate Schoharie Creek was carrying more water "than Niagara Falls."
"We prepared for the worst and we got the worst in central and southern Vermont," Shumlin said Monday. "We have extraordinary infrastructure damage," including communities that were cut off, hundreds of roads closures and the loss of at least three historic covered bridges."
More than 20 emergency shelters have been opened, and remain full of residents told to evacuate their homes. It's unknown how many people were displaced.
For more about flood insurance you can visit: Flood Smart
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