Lauren Rowley and her daughter Ursula, 2, look at the swollen Otter Creek River in Middlebury, Vermont on July 14, 2023. The river's levels are still rising while the rest of the state's rivers are beginning to recede. In July, the state of Vermont saw flooding in unprecedented numbers, swallowing much of the state's capitol and surrounding area taking one life, much livestock and businesses with it. As climate change continues to make our weather more extreme, states like Vermont that are landlocked can expect more similarly shocking weather events to come. Many residents are beginning to reconsider rebuilding as they consider how the future of potential floods may reshape their mountainous region. Lauren Rowley and her daughter Ursula, 2, look at the swollen Otter Creek River in Middlebury, Vermont on July 14, 2023. The river's levels are still rising while the rest of the state's rivers are beginning to recede. In July, the state of Vermont saw flooding in unprecedented numbers, swallowing much of the state's capitol and surrounding area taking one life, much livestock and businesses with it. As climate change continues to make our weather more extreme, states like Vermont that are landlocked can expect more similarly shocking weather events to come. Many residents are beginning to reconsider rebuilding as they consider how the future of potential floods may reshape their mountainous region.

Vehicles are submerged just off Main Street in Barre, Vermont on July 11, 2023. Flooding hit the small town outside of the state's Capitol, destroying homes and businesses in a town already grappling with some of the highest addiction and poverty levels in the state. Vehicles are submerged just off Main Street in Barre, Vermont on July 11, 2023. Flooding hit the small town outside of the state's Capitol, destroying homes and businesses in a town already grappling with some of the highest addiction and poverty levels in the state.

Residents in the town of Barre, Vermont venture out onto streets of their town that have now suffered devestating destruction on July 11, 2023. The flooding came on suddenly and destroyed the most vulnerable part of town. Residents in the town of Barre, Vermont venture out onto streets of their town that have now suffered devestating destruction on July 11, 2023. The flooding came on suddenly and destroyed the most vulnerable part of town.

High school students took their kayaks and canoes out to help shepard residents and business owners in Montpelier, Vermont to their respective buildings on July 11, 2023 after massive flooding unexpectedly hit the state. High school students took their kayaks and canoes out to help shepard residents and business owners in Montpelier, Vermont to their respective buildings on July 11, 2023 after massive flooding unexpectedly hit the state.

A supermarket in Johnson, Vermont experienced 7ft 7inch flooding, destroying all products and inventory. Workers return on July 12, 2023 to remove inventry. This is the second time in 12 years that the store has been destroyed. What was once thought to be a "once in a lifetime event" appears to be repeating. A supermarket in Johnson, Vermont experienced 7ft 7inch flooding, destroying all products and inventory. Workers return on July 12, 2023 to remove inventry. This is the second time in 12 years that the store has been destroyed. What was once thought to be a "once in a lifetime event" appears to be repeating.

Residents, neighbors and volunteers begin to try and clear streets in a lower income neighborhood of Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023 Residents, neighbors and volunteers begin to try and clear streets in a lower income neighborhood of Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023

Vicky McCormick sits on the step of the home she shares with her husband Don in Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023. Vicky's family has owned the home since the early 1900s. Her father had opened a shop and put an addition on the house in the 1960s. The flood destroyed the shop addition, the couple is sleeping in their upstairs bedroom, waiting for FEMA to come Vicky McCormick sits on the step of the home she shares with her husband Don in Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023. Vicky's family has owned the home since the early 1900s. Her father had opened a shop and put an addition on the house in the 1960s. The flood destroyed the shop addition, the couple is sleeping in their upstairs bedroom, waiting for FEMA to come

The heavy rainfall saturated the soil in the moutains, causing a landslide in Ripton, Vermont on July 15, 2023. The owner was able to escape in time with two of her three dogs The heavy rainfall saturated the soil in the moutains, causing a landslide in Ripton, Vermont on July 15, 2023. The owner was able to escape in time with two of her three dogs

Volunteers came to help Vermont Bicycle Shop after the store on main street flooded and much of their merchandise was submerged in Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023. They came to clean the mud off the bikes so they can still be sold as part of the recovery effort. Volunteers came to help Vermont Bicycle Shop after the store on main street flooded and much of their merchandise was submerged in Barre, Vermont on July 12, 2023. They came to clean the mud off the bikes so they can still be sold as part of the recovery effort.