More Devastating Floods

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

One year ago, on July 10, 2023, Vermont was struck by devastating floods – the worst natural disaster since 1927.

Then, on July 10, 2024, exactly one year later, floods hit our state again.

And then, after a torrential downpour this week, floods once again caused significant damage to St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville, Island Pond, and other towns.

My office is now working with FEMA and other federal agencies to make sure that Vermont receives all of the federal help possible – and as quickly as possible.

If my office can be of any help with regard to the floods or any other matter, please do not hesitate to call us.

I hope you will take a moment to watch my message above. My office has also compiled some flood resources below. 

And as always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if you think we can be of help. Our toll free number is 1-800-339-9834.

Stay safe, 

P.S. Please remember:

• Do not attempt to walk, drive, or swim through floodwaters.
  
  
• Follow National Weather Service Burlington for weather updates, New England 511 for road closures, and Vermont Emergency Management for local updates and resources.
  
  
• If you have not already, now is also a good time to sign up for updates from VT-ALERT at https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert.
  
  
• Report all damage to Vermont 211, keep an eye out for boil water advisories here, and call 802-828-1138 for fuel spills or basement issues.
  
  
• Lastly, if you would like to volunteer to help your neighbors and community, you can find out more information here: https://www.vermont.gov/volunteer.
  
  

Resources

Getting Started

• July 2024 Vermont Flood Resources Compiled: We have compiled some helpful resources below, but you can also find information and resources online HERE.
  
  
• REMEMBER **Report All Damage to Vermont 211**: Vermonters, businesses, and communities impacted by the July 2024 flood should report all damage to Vermont 211. These reports will be critical to Vermont potentially qualifying for federal funding and assistance. Vermont 211 can also refer you to resources to address basic needs, like food and shelter. You can reach Vermont 211 by calling or texting 2-1-1 or visiting their website at https://vermont211.org/
  
  
• Vermont Flood Recovery Centers: Flood Recovery Centers serve as a one-stop shop location where organizations come together to answer questions and help Vermonters navigate the recovery process. These centers are open to all residents from throughout the state and are open to the public from 9:30am – 6:00pm unless otherwise noted. To find a Flood Recovery Center near you, see here: https://vem.vermont.gov/flood/marc
  
  
• Translated Flood Recovery Information: For translations of flood resources, see here: https://vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation
  
  

Basic Needs

• Community Action Agencies: Community Action Agencies help lower-income Vermonters meet their basic needs. Learn more here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/contacts/partners/caps
  
  
• Food Shelves: Vermont Foodbank partners with over 200 food shelves, meal sites, and organizations providing food assistance throughout the state. These organizations work closely with Vermont Foodbank to provide food to nourish neighbors facing hunger. Find a local food shelf near you here: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/access-food/find-a-food-shelf/
  
  
• Free Summer Meals for Children: Summer meals help fill the gap when school is out and ensure that children come back to school well-nourished and ready to learn. At summer meal sites, all children 0-18 eat for free – no paperwork, no registration, no I.D. needed. Find a summer meal site here: https://www.hungerfreevt.org/summer-meals
  
  
• Unemployment Benefits: Unemployment Insurance has been in existence since 1939. The purpose of unemployment insurance benefits is to provide short term replacement of lost wages to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Learn more here: https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance
  
  
• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): AAA's provide information, resources, and support to Vermonters age 60+ and their families. Learn more here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/contacts/partners/aaa
  
  

Cleanup and Recovery 

• Returning Home Safely After a Flood: Flood damage isn’t always noticeable right away and oftentimes it can be dangerous when not approached correctly. Flooding can affect the safety of your drinking water, your electricity, your food, your air, and of course the structural integrity of your structure. Please see HERE and HERE for more information on how to return and begin cleanup safely.
  
  
• REMEMBER **Report All Damage to Vermont 211**: Vermonters who have been impacted by the flood should report all their damages to Vermont 211. These reports will be critical to Vermont potentially qualifying for federal funding and assistance. You can reach Vermont 211 by calling or texting 2-1-1. You can find more information on their website here: https://vermont211.org/.
  
  
• The Crisis Cleanup Hotline: Need help cleaning up after the flood? Call the hotline for volunteer assistance at 802-242-2054.
  
  
• Safe Drinking Water: Keep an eye out for boil water advisories in your area and call 802-828-1138 for fuel spills or basement issues. Find more information on public water notices here: https://anr.vermont.gov/document/public-water-notices
  
  
• Farmers: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture can help guide you on next steps to recover from flooding, including documenting and reporting damages to Vermont 211 and contacting your county USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Service Center. You can find more information on the Agency of Agriculture’s website here: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/severe-storms-and-flooding-recovery-next-step-farmers. 
   
• Small Businesses: The Vermont Small Business Development Center has suggested next steps, including reporting damages to Vermont 211, as well as a comprehensive recovery guide for small businesses. You can find more information on their website here: https://www.vtsbdc.org/flood-2024-and-your-businesswere-here-to-help/. The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development also has a helpful resource center on their website here: https://accd.vermont.gov/flood.
  
  
• Volunteers: If you who would like to volunteer to assist your neighbors in cleanup and recovery, register at www.vermont.gov/volunteer or connect with your town office and community organizations to see what’s needed. You can also learn more about Long-Term Recovery Groups in Vermont here: https://vtlawhelp.org/ltrg-disaster
  
  

Emotional and Mental Support

• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for emotional support related to flood stress and trauma. For more information, see their website here: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline  
  
  
• Start Over Strong: Start Over Strong is a program that helps people recover and rebuild their lives after a disaster. For more information, see their website here: https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/sosvt
  
  
• Helping Children Cope During and After a Disaster: The CDC has put together a helpful pamphlet on supporting children impacted by natural disasters. See here for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/pdf/children-coping-factsheet-508.pdf
  
  
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For free, confidential support for people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text the national 988 hotline at 9-8-8. See their website here: https://988lifeline.org/ 
  
  

Shelters and Cooling Centers

• As details and locations sometimes change, please see this website if you are in need of shelter and cooling centers: https://vem.vermont.gov/shelters.
  
  
• Not all shelters and cooling centers are listed at the above site, only those reported to Vermont Emergency Management. You can call your town to ask about local cooling centers or call 2-1-1 to find a facility near you.
  
  

Preparation: Weathering the Next Storm

• Local Emergency Alerts: Sign up for VT-ALERT alerts and follow Vermont Emergency Management’s website and socials for local updates and additional resources on how to prepare.
  • Sign up for VT-ALERT here: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert
  • Find Vermont Emergency Management's website here: https://vem.vermont.gov/
     
• Flood Preparation Toolbox: For more information and tools to help you prepare for any future floods or storms that might come our way, see here: https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/flood/veri/toolkit
  
  
• Road Closures: Visit https://newengland511.org/ for state road closures. Local road closures are not reported to the state; please respect all local detours.
  
  
• Weather Updates: For weather updates, follow the U.S. National Weather Service VT.
  • For weather updates in northern Vermont see their website HERE and their social media HERE.
  • For weather updates in southern Vermont, see here: https://www.weather.gov/aly/