Vermont Emergency Management officials say swift water rescue teams are en route to Wilmington for reports of people needing to be rescued as Tropical Storm Irene lashes the area.
Officials say water is over the road in the area of the intersection of Routes 9 and 100. The National Guard also was dispatching personnel to help in the evacuation.
There are a number of roads in the southern Vermont that are flooded or washed out, according to Emergency Management.
The rain in that part of the state is reported as extremely heavy and is heading north. Additional flash flood warnings are expected.
Already, nearly 40 people are expected at a temporary American Red Cross shelter at Brattleboro Union High School.
The Red Cross says it also has shelters ready in seven other communities. And it has provided cots and blankets to officials in six other towns in case they’re needed.
Rain has been falling steadily across the region for hours now and winds have picked up. There have been more than eight-thousand power outages and utilities say many more are expected.
Officials say that anyone living along a river or stream should closely monitor the water and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.