Heavy rain and wind overnight has caused flooding, road closures and power outages across the region.

Officials say rivers in some areas may not have crested yet. Authorities warn that if you’re unsure about how deep the water is in front, turn around and find another way.

IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO RESTORE POWER

Line crews were fanning out across the state Friday, cutting fallen trees. Vermont utilities Friday reported a high of over 54,000 customers without power with outages spread across the state. GMP brought in nearly 100 line workers from Quebec, Massachusetts and Maine to help but say it could be days before power is restored to some areas. Officials are warning the public to stay away from downed lines or trees.

One tree that damaged a section of line in Randolph was witnessed by local resident Marge Crowe, who lives just up the road.

"At first I thought a house was on fire -- that is what it looked like. And I thought, 'Oh boy, I hope everybody is ok.' And then the electrical folks were already out there so I was glad to see that. So, I was like, yeah, it's going to be a long day," said Crowe.

She says she had a close call when the winds picked up Thursday night. Several tall pines toppled over in her back yard, falling only inches from her home.

VERMONT ACTIVATES EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

At a briefing in Waterbury, Governor Phil Scott and public safety officials gave an update on the state's emergency response. He says its still too early to compare the overall damage with past storms.

"I don't believe we've had time to assess the damage. In particular, I think back about the ice storm. I don't know if it rises to that magnitude," Scott said. He also said that swift water rescue teams had been busy helping multiple people facing rising water.

The state is opening two emergency shelters starting at 8 p.m. Friday. One is in the Newport Municipal Building and the other is in the St. Albans Town Educational Center.

CUOMO ACTIVATES NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD

Essex is one of 11 New York counties under a state of emergency. Governor Andrew Cuomo says more than 90 state roads were shut down Thursday night, rendered impassable by the storm. He says 200 National Guard troops will be deployed to help.

"Many of these situations are still ongoing. There's going to be a lot of debris to clean up afterwards and many of the homes are going to be uninhabitable, Cuomo said.

The soldiers and airmen will be deployed over the next 24-hours and will be equipped with bobcats, dump trucks and front-end loaders to assist with clearing debris.

JOHNSON EMERGENCY CREWS FACE GAUNTLET OF CHALLENGES

Emergency crews in Johnson were up against a gauntlet of challenges Friday, dealing with flooding, gas leaks and house fires -- all happening at once.

"We've just been hit on every front," said Eric Osgood, Johnson's emergency management director. He says it started Thursday with stormwater drains overflowing from the deluge. "That was causing some major flooding on Main Street, getting into peoples' basements. Then the river started coming up, then we started having major flooding."

Roadways began flooding, prompting the highway department to shut down sections of Route 15.

And to make matters worse, first responders dealt with high winds that blew a roof off a building.

The howling winds ramped up in the afternoon, tearing down trees, bringing down power lines that blocked roads and left homes in the dark.

Highway foreman Brian Krause says his small crew of four is working overtime to keep roads clear. "Even putting the signage out is an effort. You gotta get the roads open but you also have to get the signage out. It's a balance," he said.

Despite the challenges and gruelingly long shifts, they say the preparation and work also brings a satisfaction. "It can be busy, frustrating at times, but it can be rewarding in the end -- to make sure we're doing everything we can for everybody," Osgood said.

As the flood waters begin to subside overnight, crews are urging people to be cautious around running water in the area. They say some roads are washed out and could be covered with water and debris.

RESIDENTS FORCED TO FLEE HOMES IN SHELDON.

For 10 years Crystal Edgerly has lived on her farm off of Clark Road in Sheldon. She says she's seen some intense flooding due to ice jams, but nothing like Friday. 'This is insane," she said. "There's white caps on the field."

"This morning's been busy and very unusual for us," said Sheldon Fire Chief Richard Piaseczany. With the help of the Swift Water Rescue Team Piaseczany said they evacuated two homes Friday morning, including one off Route 105. "I've been here since 1992 and I've never seen anything quite like this."

Officials say driving through flooded roads is extremely dangerous and is strongly discouraged. They don't recommend walking either. But Audrey Bariner said she had no choice. "I had to do it," she said. "My poor grammy, her house flooded by the river, so this morning I had to come save her."

NO PART OF VERMONT SPARED FROM STORM

In Chittenden County, flooding hit residents overnight. Burlington residents tried to pull leaves out from gutters to halt the rising water.

South Burlington's Van Sicklen Road closed at the Williston town line, along with several others.

In Essex there was a warning from police after a driver went around the cones and tried to get through high water on Towers Road -- their Subaru teetering in the water.

In Essex Junction, floodwaters collapsed the entrance to the Sherwood Square Apartment Complex. Police say it happened Thursday night and residents were unable get in or out Friday afternoon as water rushed over the roadway. We're told more than 50 people may live there.

And from the air, a drone's-eye view of the flooding on Route 15 and Saxon Hill Road.

In Milton, there was more flooding on Duffy Road and by the dam. River Street Park was covered in debris with water lapping at benches.

Hinesburg residents woke up to flooded backyards. A camper in Huntington was left standing in water.

In Richmond, flood waters took over Bridge Street, alarming local residents including Ralph Kucharek. "This morning, grabbed the coffee and figured I'd check out the river, and lo-and-behold you have all of this," Kucharek said.

Richmond police urged residents to stay back. "We don't know whether the ground has been eroded underneath and could give way, causing more issues," said Chief Larry Muldoon.

All schools closed in that district, as well as more than 50 statewide. Superintendent John Alberghini said thewashouts made it impossible to hold classes. "This was not a difficult call because it wouldn't have been safe for our busses to travel on the roads today," he said.

In Winooski, the dam raged all day, high enough to start creeping in on storm drain pipes.

In Franklin County, the dam in Fairfax was also raging. We found Route 36 in St. Albans covered in water.

In Lamoille County, cars were underwater of the Moscow Road in Stowe, and roads buckled in Hyde Park. In a video sent to us from Randy Lee on Blakeville Road in Eden, he told us there was no way into or out of town Friday morning after Route 100 washed out. VTrans was working through the night there.

And heading north into Orleans County, more problems on Route 100. in Troy, which was also blocked by high water.Coventry village was closed and flooded.

And in Addison County, a viewer sent us video of Freedom Acres Road washed out in Starksboro.