What Vermont's Historic Floods Tell Us About Climate Change

Summary

In the summer of 2023, Vermont, once considered a climate haven, was struck by devastating floods, shattering the perception of its safety from climate change. The intense rainfall overwhelmed infrastructure, flooding homes, businesses, and state buildings, causing widespread damage. As climate change intensifies, communities like Montpelier face the harsh reality of more frequent and extreme weather events. Experts and residents alike discuss the need for adaptive solutions to safeguard vulnerable areas and rebuild resiliently. Vermont’s experience underscores the global urgency to confront climate change and protect those at risk.

Takeaways

• 😀 Extreme weather events in 2023, including heatwaves in Phoenix, smoke in NYC, and floods in Vermont, highlight the growing unpredictability of climate change.
• 😀 Vermont, traditionally seen as a climate haven, experienced severe flooding in 2023, challenging the perception that some places are safe from climate change.
• 😀 In 48 hours, parts of Vermont received 9 inches of rain, overwhelming infrastructure and causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and public buildings.
• 😀 Many Vermont residents are dealing with contaminated, stagnant floodwater and the long-term effects of mold and property destruction.
• 😀 The flood in Montpelier was particularly severe, with 4,000 homes and 800 businesses damaged, including critical locations like the library and city hall.
• 😀 Rebuilding efforts in flood-prone areas are complicated by the high cost of recovery, especially for small businesses still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 Rising flood events in Vermont, which were once considered rare (e.g., 100-year storms), are becoming the 'new normal' due to climate change.
• 😀 The geography of Vermont, with towns built along rivers and disconnected floodplains, makes the region more vulnerable to intense flooding.
• 😀 Warmer air temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall, further stressing Vermont's infrastructure, which was not designed to handle such extreme weather events.
• 😀 The flood event in Montpelier underscores the broader issue: human systems were built for a more stable climate, and adapting to more extreme weather patterns is crucial to future safety and resilience.

Q & A

What extreme weather events did cities across the U.S. experience in the summer of 2023?

In the summer of 2023, cities like Phoenix faced blistering heat with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees for 31 days, New York City had skies choked with smoke from Canadian forest fires, and Los Angeles, usually stricken by drought, experienced severe flooding.

Why was Vermont historically considered a climate haven?

Vermont was believed to be resilient to extreme climate events due to its geography, including its cool climate and relatively stable weather patterns. Scientists predicted that the region would be spared from the worst impacts of climate change.

What unexpected event occurred in Vermont during the summer of 2023?

In 2023, Vermont, traditionally considered safe from extreme weather, experienced devastating flooding, particularly in Montpelier, which shattered the perception of the state as a climate haven.

What impact did the flooding have on Montpelier's residents and businesses?

The flooding in Montpelier caused severe damage to over 4,000 homes and 800 businesses, with 275 buildings affected in the downtown area. Many residents and business owners faced the challenge of rebuilding after losing homes, belongings, and livelihoods.

How did the flooding disrupt Montpelier’s infrastructure?

The flooding overwhelmed Montpelier’s infrastructure, damaging roads, state buildings, businesses, and homes. Contaminated water stagnated for days, causing widespread mold and bacterial contamination, which further delayed recovery.

How has climate change affected the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Vermont?

Climate change has led to more frequent and intense weather events in Vermont. Disasters like the flooding of 2023, which exceeded the rainfall expected in an entire month, have become more common due to rising temperatures and the capacity of warmer air to hold more moisture.

What role do Vermont’s rivers play in the flooding, and how has human development affected them?

Historically, Vermont’s rivers meandered and spread water into floodplains, which absorbed excess water. However, human development has straightened and urbanized the rivers, disconnecting them from their floodplains. As a result, rivers are unable to handle heavy rainfall and cause more frequent and severe flooding.

What are some proposed solutions to reduce future flooding in Vermont's cities?

Proposed solutions to mitigate future flooding include creating flood-resistant infrastructure such as roads that can handle water flow, relocating utilities out of basements, and restoring access to historic floodplains to absorb excess water before it reaches urban areas.

What challenges do low-income communities face in flood-prone areas like mobile home parks?

Low-income communities, especially those in mobile home parks, face significant challenges in flood-prone areas. Many residents lack the resources to move their homes to higher ground or rebuild after a flood, leaving them vulnerable to repeated disasters. Mobile home parks also make up a disproportionate share of flood-prone housing in Vermont.

What is the broader lesson from Vermont’s experience with climate change and flooding?

Vermont’s experience highlights that no place is immune to the impacts of climate change. It underscores the need for adaptation, building resilient communities, and addressing the root causes of climate change to protect vulnerable populations and cities worldwide.