Vermont has confirmed a second death related to severe flooding
Vermont has confirmed a second death related to last month’s severe flooding. Robert Kerker, 67, of Rhineback, New York, drowned in the swollen waters of Stony Brook near Stockbridge while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Search crews found Kerker’s body on Friday along the Stony Brook about 1.5 miles downstream from where the trail crossed the brook. A witness had reported seeing Kerker at the Stony Brook shelter the night of July 9 and said severe rain and flooding that hit Vermont the next day made the trail’s crossing of the stream dangerous. Kerker was hiking the northern half of the Appalachian Trail and had been in touch with family weekly but not since July 9th. In another part of the state, Stephen Davoll, 63, drowned in his home in Barre on July 12, officials said.