Disaster declaration expanded in Vermont after floods: What it means for residents
Vermonters in two additional counties will be able to get federal money and assistance, as clean-up and recovery continue across the state.
The expansion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster declaration was announced by state and federal officials during the governor’s press conference Friday morning. Caledonia and Orange counties are now eligible for individual assistance from FEMA.
Applications from individuals in those counties submitted prior to the declaration will automatically go forward, said General William Roy from FEMA at the conference.
The counties now eligible for individual assistance are Chittenden, Caledonia, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor.
Why all Vermonters need to report damage from flooding
Gov. Phil Scott stressed the criticality of Vermonters reporting damages to 211, especially for people in counties that have not yet received a disaster declaration.
“If you have any damage to your home or property as a result of these storms, and that includes driveways, equipment and vehicles – it’s pretty broad – please report it to 211,” Scott said.
In order for a county to receive individual assistance designation, damage levels need to reach a certain threshold for FEMA, said Scott.
General Roy confirmed that individuals with extensive damage from the floods are not eligible for any individual assistance from FEMA if they do not reside in one of the disaster-declared counties. However, if the county is eventually disaster-declared, applications for assistance in relief from damages will automatically go forward, as is the case with Caledonia and Orange counties.
How to report damages due to the floods in Vermont
To report damages, call 2-1-1, or go to Vermont211.org.
Scott and other administrative officials emphasized the importance of helping neighbors and community members to report damages if they do now know to do so, or have barriers to doing so.
The deadline to apply for assistance is Sept. 12, for the original counties FEMA designated and 60 days from June 21 for Caledonia and Orange counties.
Scott encourages Vermonters to continue to volunteer and help their neighbor
The sentiment of helping neighbors applies to the immediate clean-up stage. Literally cleaning up the streets will be essential to transitioning to the next stage of recovery.
“If you were impacted by flooding, get your debris to the right of ways," said Scott. "If you weren’t impacted and want to help, find a neighbor who needs help with their debris and get it to the edge of the street or road."
Keeping volunteer momentum is critical as the clean-up phase continues.
The philanthropy that has been exhibited by Vermonters in the past two weeks via private donations and fundraisers can provide private funds to local businesses where federal or state aid may not be able to. At this time, businesses are not available for FEMA’s individual assistance, only Small Business Administration loans.
“The best kind of donation is financial,” said Jennifer Morrison, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
Morrison advises Vermonters to donate to reputable, charitable organizations and directly to small businesses.
Businesses can get help from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development is working to get a business assistance restart program off the ground.
The grant will provide $20 million of emergency assistance to businesses that suffered physical damage from the floods. This grant money is not meant to be all-encompassing, but rather an emergency, bridge fund while businesses wait on loans and potential for federal aid, said Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the agency.
The hope is that this money can help businesses reopen their doors. Specifics of the program will be released next week.
“The treasurer’s office plans to advance payments that were due to the 40 hardest hit towns in Vermont that would be owed to them in this fiscal year,” Mike Pieciak, treasurer, said.
This sum amounts to $11 million, which will provide cash for relief work while people await FEMA reimbursements.
Deadlines for driver's license and vehicle renews, hot asphalt limits and taxes
Vermont residents who need to renew their license and/or registration have 60 additional days beyond expiration dates, according to a provision signed by Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday.
He also approved waivers on the production and fuel use limits on hot asphalt to aid in emergency road repairs and the state will issue temporary licenses and certifications to professions regulated by the Division of Fire Safety.
Craig Bolio, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Taxes, said there will be a deadline extension for taxpayers. For people unable to meet tax deadlines occurring between July 7 and Nov. 15, the deadlines will be automatically extended to Nov. 15.
More information is available at Tax.vermont.gov/flood.
Update on resource allocations for farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is declaring 14 counties as primary natural disaster areas, not for the floods, but due to the hard freeze that occurred in late May, which killed off produce that had just started to grow, said Anson Tebbetts, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
So far there has been a reported loss of 9,424 acres of farmland, amounting to more than 200 farmers and producers’ land.
'So powerless to protect it': Vermont orchards and vineyards devastated by late-May freeze
Farmers reporting damage and losses will also be essential to getting disaster designation from the USDA. Tebbetts encourages farmers to keep reporting damages and loss to 211 and the Farm Services Agency (FSA).
Bad weather on the horizon
“Swift water assets are staged around the state to respond to any emergencies,” Morrison said.
Localized flash flooding is again a concern as some areas of Vermont are expected to get 2 to 3 inches of rain tonight, while potentially enduring high winds, thunder and dangerous lightning.
“Please take good care and let’s get through this last band of severe weather,” Morrison said.
To access Vermont flood resources visit www.vermont.gov/flood.
Contact Kate Sadoff at ksadoff@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont floods: Residents asked to report damage, seek federal help
