New Delhi, July 12 -- Vermont faced another summer of flash floods Thursday as up to 5 inches of rain fell in just hours, overwhelming rivers and roads. The small town of Sutton saw nearly 20 homes cut off when Calendar Brook overflowed, trapping residents who needed rescue by swift-water teams from neighboring towns.

Fire Chief Kyle Seymour described how the "incredibly strong, quick-moving" storm overwhelmed culverts and streams within an hour. While less widespread than 2023's catastrophic floods, this marks the third consecutive year of major summer flooding, leaving officials exhausted.

Vermont's steep valleys and wetter climate make it a flooding hotspot, explains the National Weather Service. Rainfall has increased by 6 inches an...