Vermont’s Shocking Climate Crisis: Unprecedented Floods Reveal Stark Reality of ‘Safe Haven’ State

Unprecedented Rainfall Devastates Vermont

One late July day brought a seemingly typical summer storm that unleashed a record-breaking 8 inches of rain in just 24 hours over the Northeast Kingdom. This deluge caused rivers and brooks to swell rapidly, leading to catastrophic flooding that uprooted homes standing for centuries.

In Lyndonville, the storm marked the fifth flooding event in just over a year, and the second that month. Many other towns in Vermont experienced similar repetitive flooding, with some being inundated at least three times in the past year.

Vermont, traditionally seen as a safe haven from severe climate impacts, is now facing harsh realities. The recent climate-fueled floods have sparked a reevaluation of this perception, raising crucial questions about future resilience and safety.

Lyndonville Fire Chief Jeff Corrow, with 34 years of experience, expressed his astonishment at the unprecedented nature of these events. “We’re venturing down a road that we haven’t been on. And it’s not a good road to be on,” he said.

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Mounting Evidence of Climate Change

Washington County, home to Montpelier, has now become one of the most disaster-prone counties in the U.S., tied for the second-most federal disaster declarations from 2011 to 2023, according to Rebuild by Design.

Dartmouth College’s Jonathan Winter attributes this to the increased rate of precipitation. His research shows that the Northeast now experiences 50% more extreme precipitation than before 1995, supported by the Fifth National Climate Assessment.

The mechanics are straightforward: a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall. Winter notes that, “We’re getting the same storms, they just have more fuel to work with once they get here.”

Key factors include:

• Warmer atmosphere holding more moisture
• More frequent and intense storms
• Continued trend without significant emission reductions

Farmers Grapple with Changing Climate

Jon Wagner of Bear Roots Farm moved to Vermont to escape flooding but faced an unpleasant surprise. After nearly a decade of drought, last summer’s flash floods and prolonged wet weather destroyed 75% of their harvest.

Wagner shared their struggles, stating, “We basically came into the season on credit card debt.” This year, they’ve adjusted by planting on higher ground, opting for crops like heirloom pumpkins and winter squash.

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In the Green Mountains, new risks like landslides are emerging. Ripton saw a hillside collapse during a torrential storm, destroying a home. Such events have prompted the formation of a statewide “Landslide Taskforce” to coordinate emergency responses.

The Flood Safety Act aims to prevent construction in flood-prone areas, but with historic communities now regularly flooding, more significant changes are inevitable.

Ongoing Adaptation and Resilience

Despite the challenges, Jon Wagner remains resolute. He values Vermont’s water resources and acknowledges the difficulties of adapting to climate change. “I think ultimately, it is affecting everyone everywhere,” he said.

Wagner’s determination reflects a broader necessity for communities to adapt. The accelerated growing season this year has offered some respite, but higher ground brings new hazards in a changing climate.

State officials are taking steps to bolster resilience, but with entire communities at risk, Vermont must contemplate significant adaptations in the coming decades.

As Vermont faces these unprecedented challenges, the importance of proactive measures and community resilience becomes ever more apparent.

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