Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Congresswoman Becca Balint. Screen Grab.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott, at today's press update on the flooding across the state, emphasized that personal safety was the first concern as the state continues to deal with the ongoing flood. He said that infrastructure can and will be rebuilt, which is a lesson from Tropical Storm Irene. He also reiterated that the emergency is ongoing in the hardest hit areas in communities along the spine of the Green Mountains and that more rain is expected. Scott declared a State of Emergency on July 9.

Scott held two press conferences today. In the morning along with administration officials he discussed details of the ongoing disaster and in the early afternoon he was joined by the congressional delegation and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. The second meeting focused more on on-going recovery efforts and federal assistance going forward.

Criswell reiterated President Biden's emergency declaration from Tuesday and emphasized that Vermonters who have suffered damages should not wait for FEMA to show up to assess damages but should take photos and videos to record what has occurred and as quickly and safely as possible to begin the cleanup process. She, like all other officials, urges personal safety during the emergency and also in the recovery process.

The importance of this event is acknowledged by the unique presence of the state's top four elected officials.

Senator Sanders said, "We are now living through the worst natural disaster to impact Vermont since 1927, where dozens of people died at that time, and thank God at this point we have not seen any fatalities."

As of this afternoon, there are fewer than 1,000 customers without electricity. Meanwhile, the long list of road closures is beginning to do down with the flood waters.

The most accurate and up-to-date source of Vermont road closure information is the 511 New England website: https://newengland511.org/region/Vermont.

The governor cautioned that more rain is forecasted.

In the morning press conference, administration officials implored Vermonters in need to seek assistance by calling 211, or if in an emergency to call 911, and by going to the 511 website.

They reiterated safety precautions, especially regarding exposed electric lines and urged people not to drive through moving water or ignore traffic barriers.

The state has called in outside resources to enhance the state's emergency response, including swift water teams from North Carolina, Michigan and Massachusetts. At least 14 such teams are already deployed across the state.

The most serious impact from the flooding is along the spine of the Green Mountains, where water rushed down the hillsides and into the valleys. 

The southern Vermont towns like Londonderry and Weston were especially hard hit. But the damage ranged from southern to central to northern Vermont, especially on the eastern side of the state.

All the officials credited the first responders, road crews, local officials and ordinary citizens, who stepped up to help their neighbors. Evacuations are still under way, especially in those places that were completely cut off, like in Weston, and for vulnerable populations, some of whom physically were unable to leave their homes or were reluctant to do so.

Even Governor Scott had to hike from his home to a location in order to reach a passable road in which to meet his ride.

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