Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels to clear inches of mud

Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris. The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged. The crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison. She said “Keep your guard up, and do not take chances.” Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermont’s Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.