Emergency services are conducting emergency evacuations today in Vermont, the northeastern US state hit by “historic and catastrophic” flooding after torrential rains.

Rescuers removed residents using inflatable boats and kayaks, according to images shown by US media, mainly in the state capital, Montpellier, whose center was completely flooded and closed as of noon today (local time).

More than 100 people were rescued, according to authorities.

“The devastation and flooding we’re experiencing is historic,” Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference. He said the flooding “exceeded the levels of Tropical Storm Irene” which killed six people in the state in 2011.

US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for Vermont, allowing the release of federal aid.

“The good news is that the rain has stopped in some areas, but that doesn’t mean the waters will recede immediately,” the governor continued.

“We expect more rain later in the week, which will have nowhere to go on the oversaturated ground,” he warned.

In a Facebook message, the city of Montpelier said a dam is at risk of failing and spilling into the North Branch River, and it feared “significantly extended damage.”

Torrential rains, up to 20 centimeters in some places, according to the National Weather Service, fell between Sunday and Monday across the northeastern United States, mainly in the New York area where flooding killed a woman as she tried to escape her house.

The Democratic governor of New York State, Kathy Hochsul, called on citizens to “mobilize to fight the devastation caused by climate change, because once again, these are unprecedented phenomena that continue to hit us again and again.”