Vermont braces for catastrophic flooding disaster as dam near to capital Montpelier could FAIL

The Vermont capital has been cut off by 'life-threatening' catastrophic floods which are now threatening to break the city's dam, as forecasters warn more rain is on the way. 

More than seven inches of water swamped Montpelier over 22 hours - breaking meteorologists' predictions of 6 inches over 24 hours - as 'tidal wave' rains ravaged the capital and left residents trapped in their homes. 

Torrential downpours swept the wider North East this week and Vermont was labeled as the 'highest risk' state by the National Weather Service.  

Following 7.33 inches of rain recorded in Montpelier on Monday up to 9.30pm, further showers came overnight, and the service warned more is on the way. 

President Biden declared a state of emergency in Vermont and ordered federal aid to bolster local rescue efforts, while police described the situation as 'life-threatening'. 

More than seven inches of water fell on Montpelier over 22 hours - breaking the previous prediction of 6 inches in 24 hours - as 'tidal wave' rains ravaged the entire state of Vermont. Pictured: Devastation in Ludlow, Vermont, on Tuesday

The entire first floor of some homes in Montpelier have been flooded, as officials urge people to retreat to the highest point in their houses in lieu of an evacuation, as emergency services are struggling to reach all the affected areas due to road closures 

Shocking footage of the crisis-hit city shows water cascading down major roads, submerging houses and vehicles in its wake.

Residents have also shared images of the damage to their homes, including one home with floodwater rising all the way up the staircase to the first story. 

City Manager William Fraser has warned Wrightsville Dam just north of Montpelier, Washington County, 'only has six feet of storage capacity left'.

He added that people in 'at-risk areas' should go to 'upper floors in their houses' because of limited evacuation prospects in some parts, as police have closed dozens of roads. 

'If water exceeds capacity, the first spillway will release water into the North Branch River,' Fraser said. 

'This has never happened since the dam was built so there is no precedent for potential damage. 

'There would be a large amount of water coming into Montpelier which would drastically add to the existing flood damage. 

'This will be particularly bad along the North Branch River corridor and into the downtown. 

'Unfortunately, there are very few evacuation options remaining. People in at risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses.'

'Computer and radio systems at the Police Station may become incapacitated if floodwaters increase,' he added. 

Montpelier Police Department said the flash floods have taken out three radio towers used to dispatch fire engines and ambulances, and Washington Electric is desperately attempting repairs. 

The department has been forced to relocate dispatch, police and fire operations to the water treatment plant in Berlin due to rainwater submerging the police basement, city hall and fire department building. 

Floodwater has submerged vehicles in Montpelier and several other cities in the north-eastern state, which has been designated emergency status by the president

Police are closing an increasing number of roads because 'travel is very dangerous at this time', and Main Street Middle School gym is being used as a 'temporary shelter' until buses can take residents to Red Cross zones. PIctured: Montpelier on Tuesday

City Manager William Fraser warned the Wrightsville Dam just north of Montpelier, Washington County, 'only has six feet of storage capacity left' as more rain is due to hit on Tuesday 

Vehicles on the streets of Montpelier have been almost completely submerged in floodwater. Forecasters have said the city was hit with seven inches of rain over just 22 hours on Monday and more came overnight 

President Biden has declared a state of emergency in flood-ravaged Vermont

On Tuesday Chief of Police Eric W. Nordenson warned residents to stay away from the deluged downtown, where 'waters continue to rise'. 

'Multiple water rescue teams are positioned in Montpelier and we urge the public to please stay out of the downtown and off City roads,' he said. 

'Our rescue crews, DPW staff, dispatchers and first responders are spread very thin and will need time to assess the damages.

'Waters continue to rise in the downtown area with predictions that water levels will begin to lower around noon.

'The Wrightsville Dam water levels have continued to increase and are being monitored on site by the Vermont Dam Safety Management group. 

'There is a possibility that the dam has some spill over which can affect our current water levels downtown.'

He added that police are closing an increasing number of roads because 'travel is very dangerous at this time', and Main Street Middle School gym is being used as a 'temporary shelter' until buses can take residents to Red Cross zones.  

'Please understand that all responders are at the max capacity and to only contact dispatch in an extreme emergency,' Nordenson said. 

The National Weather Service said more rain is on the way for the embattled region. 

'Dangerous, widespread flash flooding from excessive rainfall is expected across New England through Tuesday morning,' they said. 

'Highest risk for Vermont with expected impacts to transit routes.'

City Manager William Fraser called the situation 'potentially dangerous', warning that the Wrightsville Dam close to Montpelier 'only has six feet of storage capacity left'. Pictured: catastrophic flooding on a Montpelier street Tuesday 

The National Weather Service said more rain is on the way for the crisis-hit state, which is ranked at 'highest risk' from the flooding. Pictured: Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday

Vermont State Police posted shocking videos of huge torrents of water blasting through Montpelier on Monday, with more rain due on Tuesday and some residents unable to leave their homes. Pictured: water pouring over the dam at the Ottauquechee River near Simon Pearce in Quechee

The service said 7.33 inches of rain deluged the worst-hit parts of Montpelier over just 22 hours on Monday up to 9.30pm.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers said late Monday they expected two dams to release water overnight, causing 'severe flooding' downstream likely to affect multiple towns. 

Vermont State Police said in an alert: 'Dangerous flooding is continuing this afternoon throughout most of Vermont.

'Almost three dozen state roads are closed due to high water, and additional closures are possible as rivers and streams continue to rise. This figure does not include town roads.'

Footage from Monday showed Ludlow, Vermont, seemingly underwater as the roads turned to rivers amid the devastating torrent.

The Vermont Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management stated swift water rescue teams have been working 'primarily in the towns of Londonderry, Weston, Bridgewater, Andover, Ludlow and Middlesex.'

Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser estimated Monday night that knee-high waters had reached much of downtown and were expected to rise a couple more feet during the night. 

Montpelier had largely been spared during Tropical Storm Irene, which struck the region in 2011.

'For us, this is far worse than Irene,' he said. 'We got water but it went up and down.'

'There were some basements flooded but it didn't last long,' Fraser said, comparing this flooding to the Montpelier Ice Jams in 1992. 

'We are completely inundated. The water is way, way higher than it ever got during Irene.'

During Irene, Vermont got 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain in 24 hours. 

Irene killed six in the state, washed homes off their foundations and damaged or destroyed more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

Dozens of roads have been closed in Vermont due to the floods, leaving residents with no option but to go to the upper floors of their homes for shelter. Pictured: roads underwater in Ludlow, Vermont 

Vermont Urban Search and Rescue crews from North Carolina, Michigan and Connecticut were among those helping to rescue residents from towns cut off in Vermont. Pictured: people watch the floodwaters take vehicles afloat in Ludlow, Vermont 

Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser estimated Monday night that knee-high waters had reached much of downtown and were expected to rise a couple more feet during the night. Pictured: the Montpelier deluge on Monday 

President Biden declared a state of emergency in Vermont overnight and ordered federal aid to bolster local rescue efforts. Pictured: water cascading down a road in Jamaica, Vermont

'This is an all-hands-on-deck' event, Vermont governor Phil Scott told a news conference.

It comes as devastating downpours blocked roads and battered homes across the East Coast, and a newly-engaged woman was killed when the water thundered into her New York home as she tried to save her dog.

Mike Cannon of Vermont Urban Search and Rescue said crews from North Carolina, Michigan and Connecticut were among those helping to get to towns that have been unreachable since torrents of rain belted the state.

The towns of Londonderry and Weston were inaccessible, Cannon said, and rescuers were heading there to do welfare checks.