Northern New England storms, flooding leaves numerous campers displaced

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire officials on Sunday asked campground owners to make room for campers displaced by heaving rain and flooding, while Vermont's governor toured hard-hit communities in his state.

Perry Plummer, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, asked both campground operators who have space and campers who had leave sites because of the flooding to call 2-1-1, the system that connects callers to information about health and human service programs.

Plummer also said his office was determining whether volunteer help is available for those who sustained property damage, and he asked those who did to call 2-1-1 and press '8'.

Flash flooding in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire on Saturday closed roads and prompted the opening of several emergency shelters. In Norwich and Thetford, Vermont, the fire department ordered mandatory evacuations of some homes. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott visited several communities as officials assessed the damage on Sunday, and the state urged anyone who had been forced from their homes to call Vermont's 2-1-1 system.

Some central Vermont towns received three to four inches of rain.

Many rivers remained extremely dangerous and fast moving, said Plummer, who urged people to stay out of the water until the flooding subsides. The New Hampshire Marine Patrol urged caution around rivers and streams, and warned swimmers and boaters to beware of floating and underwater debris.

Scott agreed, saying in a Facebook post: "The weather has improved but risks remain."