At least one person is dead in Vermont after flash floods devastated communities, Gov. Phil Scott said Thursday during a press conference.
Beryl's remnants forced some residents to evacuate their homes and caused road closures on Wednesday, state officials said.
The deluge occurred primarily in central Vermont, according to the state Emergency Management.
Flash flood warnings were issued Wednesday night for Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange and Washington counties.
"Last night, was a difficult and dangerous time in the northern, two-thirds of the state," said Jennifer Morrison, commissioner of Public Safety.
Vermont State Police said Thursday they're investigating the death of a man late Wednesday during heavy rain and flash flooding in Peacham.
The victim was identified as 33-year-old Dylan Kempton.
Troopers were called around 10:35 p.m. to the scene of a vehicle that had fallen into the South Peacham Brook near the intersection of Governor Mattocks and County roads, state police said, where they learned the driver of that vehicle had been rescued unharmed by fire and rescue crews.
While examining the scene, however, rescue crews noticed a UTV on its side in the water. Police learned that the UTV belonged to and had been operated by Kempton, of Peacham.
According to police, South Peacham Brook was running extremely high due to ongoing torrential rain, and a portion of the road in the area had collapsed. Kempton had driven his UTV to Peacham Corners earlier Wednesday evening, and as he drove back home, a culvert breached, sending water rushing over the road and sweeping away his UTV.
Just before midnight, rescue crews found Kempton dead in the water about 1/8th mile downstream. Crews were able to recover his body early Thursday morning and his remains were brought to the chief medical examiner's office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Kempton's death does not appear to be suspicious, police said.
Water teams made dozens of rescues overnight and facilitated numerous evacuations, according to Morrison.
"We are still in active response mode and have multiple rescues ongoing in the Lyndonville area," she said.
Some of the hardest hit areas in Vermont were Moretown, Plainfield, Lyndonville, Barre, Richmond, Bolton and Williamstown, Morrison said.
She said they will "add more to this list" as damage reports are still coming in.
"The primary hazard overnight was flash flooding," said Morrison. "That has mostly resolved. Subsequently, there some mainstem river flooding."
She said rivers have crested and river flooding should wind down throughout the day. However, Morrison said this isn't true for the Winooski River from Waterbury through Lake Champlain.
The Winooski River, she said, won't fall below flood stage until Friday.
While the weather will continue to get hot and humid, Morrison urged people to stay away from rivers.
Residents with damaged property, including homes and vehicles, can report damages to 211, according to Morrison, who said the state is collecting data for a possible federal disaster declaration.
Anyone displaced and in need of shelter should also call 211 for assistance, Morrison said.
"Currently, the Barre Auditorium shelter is open, and we can scale up more shelters, if there's a need for them," she said.
From the Agency of Transportation's perspective, there are 54 state roads closed, six bridges that are "impinged" and significant rail damage.
"We are not tone-deaf to what's happened on local roads, but we don't have that information at this moment," said Joe Flynn, secretary of transportation.
The disaster struck Vermont just a year after areas were devasted by severe flooding.
"I know the damage done in the many same communities were hardest hit on the very same day as last year is devastating," said Scott. "My heart goes out to all those families, businesses owners and community members alike."
Scott said his team, first responders and local leaders are working around the clock to help ensure public safety and will act quickly as possible in recovery.
