Floods hit Vermont as heavy rain batters north-eastern US states

A state of emergency has been declared in Vermont after torrential rain caused severe flooding across the US state. The capital, Montpelier, has been cut off by the rest of the state after main roads were damaged by the extreme weather. Footage shared online showed floodwaters reaching the windows of some buildings in downtown Montpelier. More than 13 million Americans are under flood watches and warnings from eastern New York state to Boston and western Maine to the north-east, the National Weather Service said in its forecast on Monday