Vermont officials are currently assessing the damage caused by heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding in several parts of the state. On Monday, new records for temperature and rainfall were set in various areas, causing towns to flood, roads to close, and prompting several rescues.

According to Eric Myskowski, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Burlington, most of the state's rivers were receding by Tuesday morning, except for the lower Winooski River, which remained at major flood stage, particularly near Essex Junction. However, the river's waters were expected to recede throughout the day.

Swift-water rescue teams were active on Monday and Tuesday, conducting multiple rescues across the state. They successfully removed three individuals from a house in Jamaica, assisted individuals in five cars around Lyndonville, helped people in two cars in the Waterbury area, and responded to an incident involving one car in Richmond.

Despite the widespread flooding, there have been no reported injuries or deaths related to the storm. Mark Bosma, spokesperson for Vermont Emergency Management, confirmed this information.

Several shelters were opened to accommodate those affected by the flooding. As of Tuesday morning, only one shelter in Cavendish remained operational. Vermonters in need were urged to call 211 for assistance and to refer to the state's webpage for information on open shelters. The Vermont Department of Health also provided guidance to those returning to flooded homes.

The Red Cross played a crucial role in providing emergency shelter. On Monday night, 18 people sought refuge in an emergency shelter in Barre, hosted by the organization. However, by Tuesday morning, all residents either returned home or found alternative shelter, allowing the Red Cross to close the shelter by 4 p.m.

Vermonters are strongly advised to exercise caution and stay away from floodwaters, respecting road closures. The impact of the storm varied from one municipality to another. Montpelier, which endured severe storms in the summer, reported no displacement of residents or flooding of businesses' first floors. Barre, on the other hand, experienced ankle- to knee-high water that seeped into basements, requiring workers to pump out water.

Johnson, still recovering from the July floods, minimal damage from the recent storm, with flooding primarily confined to basements. However, the town's post office building, recently reopened, had to temporarily close again due to water damage.

Lamoille County towns faced road closures and significant damage. Goeltz Road in Morristown was completely washed out, and the estimated repairs for the road could exceed $250,000. Essex Junction faced minimal road damage but lost a beaver baffle, used to prevent beavers from building dams in culverts.

Although Middlebury experienced one water break and three overwhelmed wastewater stations, the town reported no major flood damages. Rutland City also fared well, with no issues caused by the rain event.

The storm, originating in the Gulf of Mexico, brought an unusually high amount of moisture to the Northeast, causing widespread flooding. Records for temperature and rainfall were broken in several locations across the state. Burlington recorded its highest rainfall on December 18, with 2.2 inches, breaking the previous record set in 1954. Additionally, both Burlington and Montpelier set new temperature records for the day.

While it is difficult to attribute any single event to climate change, forecasters have noted an increased frequency of heavier rain events during the winter in the last decade or so, according to Myskowski.

Vermont will continue to recover and assess the damage caused by the recent heavy rainfall and flooding. The resilience of communities and the collective efforts of emergency responders and organizations like the Red Cross have played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents affected by the storm.