LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan State Police (MSP) Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) has deployed a water rescue team to support the first response operations during life-threatening floods in Vermont.

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The deployment of Michigan Task Force 1’s Type III Swiftwater Team from Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MI-MABAS) is in response to a request made by Vermont for out-of-state support.

Flash floods have been wreaking havoc on Vermont mountain where about a foot of rain has fallen since Sunday. After deploying Monday evening, the 8-member team from Michigan joined other out-of-state rescuers from North Carolina, Connecticut, and New York Tuesday morning to assist in the rescue of residents trapped as rushing floodwaters reach the roofs of homes across the region.

Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the MSP/EMHSD said, “Our Michigan team is on the ground and ready to help. Many local first responders have been conducting life-saving rescue operations non-stop for the last 48 hours. When other states ask for help, it is our duty to answer the call.”

Shocking videos from the Weather Channel and media outlets have shown Americans the devastation of the flooding as Vermont deals with their worse flood in nearly 100 years. A federal emergency has been declared in Vermont and although cleanup has begun, high water remains.

As of late last night, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott warned the public, “This may not be over. With rain in the forecast – and nowhere for it to go – we could see waters rise again.” This statement comes as the National Weather Service issued new flood watches in the area starting Thursday.

The eight-member Michigan swift water rescue team has been responding to trapped residents ever since their feet hit Vermont ground with the help of their four boats and three pick-up trucks. They rescued seven people and a dog in the Jefferson area on Tuesday night according to a social media post of the EMHSD. The post said that they used night ops capabilities to complete the rescue amid the catastrophic flooding. The team is expected to return to Michigan on July 19.

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This is the second time Michigan has sent resource support through Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests in 2023. The MSP/EMHSD sent an emergency management official to California to assist with recovery efforts following severe storms that caused flooding and massive devastation last February. In the last three years, Michigan has also deployed assistance through the EMAC to help with civil unrest in Wisconsin, wildland fires in Oregon, Hurricane Ida damage in Louisiana, tornado aftermath in Kentucky, flooding in Montana, a public drinking water supply emergency in Jackson, Mississippi and during California lightning fires.

Through EMAC, a disaster-impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently.  Members of the EMAC include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.