NEAL P. GOSWAMI/Reuters
A dam in Vermont was nearing capacity and threatening to burst at any minute on Tuesday, leaving residents in the state’s capital on tenterhooks as “catastrophic” floods lashed the northeastern U.S. due to intense storms.
The Montpelier Police Department said at 11:30 a.m. that floods had slightly receded in downtown Montpelier, but waters were just one foot away from the Wrightsville Dam’s spillway. “Every additional foot of water that goes over the spillway doubles the amount of water entering the City from the dam,” police said.
Two hours later, the PD said the water levels hadn’t changed, and “minimal increases can be expected.” Residents were nevertheless advised to stay put until the water recedes.