One person has tragically died and dozens have been rescued after heavy rains caused severe flooding in towns and cities across central and northern Vermont. The torrential rainfall, which amounted to 3 to 5 inches in some areas and exceeded 6 inches in others, was brought on by the remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl.

During a press conference, Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced the fatality, believed to be a Peacham man whose vehicle was swept away by the floodwaters. Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison noted that although the death has not been officially linked to the storm, it is strongly believed to be storm-related. The victim's identity has yet to be revealed.

Swiftwater teams worked tirelessly throughout the night, conducting dozens of rescues and facilitating numerous evacuations. State urban search and rescue coordinator Mike Cannon reported that at least 118 people were rescued by boat. Unfortunately, the extent of the damage caused by the flooding is significant, with 54 state roads closed and six bridges impinged, three of which are believed to be destroyed.

The impact of the flooding was widespread, affecting towns and cities from Addison to Caledonia counties. Among the hardest-hit municipalities were Moretown, Plainfield, Lyndonville, Barre, Richmond, Bolton, and Williamstown. Other areas, such as Groton, Barnet, and Marshfield, also endured significant flooding. Hinesburg recorded the highest overnight rainfall total, reaching a staggering 6.76 inches.

Evacuation orders were issued in five towns overnight, including Barre, Williamstown, Groton, St. Johnsbury, and Moretown. Additionally, approximately 7,000 customers experienced power outages in the early hours of Thursday, with close to 1,800 outages still remaining by noon.

Although the rain has subsided, the focus has now shifted to the rising river levels. Officials are closely monitoring portions of the Winooski, Mad, Missisquoi, Passumpsic, Lamoille, and Wells rivers. While some rivers have already crested, parts of the Winooski, Passumpsic, and Lamoille are still on the rise. Residents living near these rivers are urged to follow local officials' guidelines and evacuate if necessary.

Parts of Barre and Hardwick suffered significant damage, with downtown streets covered in mud and signs of hydraulic damage. In Hardwick, the town fire station and wastewater plant were severely flooded, and businesses along the commercial stretch of Route 15 were once again affected, following last year's flooding.

Huntington also experienced flooding, with homes and bridges damaged and some roads rendered impassable. The town's emergency shelter is currently housing three families. Other areas, such as Waitsfield and Fayston in the Mad River Valley, also faced inundation, leading to evacuations.

Southern counties in Vermont were largely spared from the severe flooding, with Rutland and Windsor counties receiving no more than an inch and a half of rain. Bennington and Windham counties recorded no more than a quarter inch, and the towns of Bennington and Brattleboro reported no rainfall at all.

As the state begins the difficult task of assessing and repairing the damage caused by the flooding, it is crucial for residents to remain cautious as scattered showers are still expected in some parts of Vermont. The National Weather Service advises that even minimal rainfall could exacerbate the situation, considering the saturated soils and full rivers.

This article will be updated with any new information as it becomes available.