Some Deadlines & Updates on Flood Recovery

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

For everyone who was impacted by the devastating floods this summer, I would like to take a moment to share a few updates.

First and foremost, President Biden has approved Vermont’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the July 9-11, 2024 flooding. This is good news. It means that FEMA assistance is now available for individuals and communities in many impacted counties. Read on below for guidance on how to apply, which counties are currently covered, and important deadlines to mark down in your calendar.

Second, the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week also approved a Disaster Designation for some impacted counties, including Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Washington. This is good news for farmers – many of whom were hit two years in a row. We’ll have more information to share soon on this. You can also learn more on the USDA’s website HERE or by contacting Farm Service Agency staff at your local Service Center HERE.

Third and lastly, let me be clear: We are not stopping here. I am working with Governor Scott, Senator Welch, and Representative Balint to get recovery assistance to Vermont as quickly as possible. Major Disaster Declarations have already been requested for the July 29-31 flooding in the Northeast Kingdom and the June 22-24 flooding in Caledonia and Lamoille counties.

I know navigating the recovery process can be confusing, frustrating, and demoralizing. It is one of the many aspects of disaster response in our country that we must urgently address. But, as we continue that fight, my office has put together some resources below that I hope you’ll find helpful. 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.

We will get through this together,

Navigating FEMA Assistance

While FEMA is still assessing the damage done by other floods, the approval of this Major Disaster Declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from the July 9-11, 2024 flooding. The FEMA assistance covered by this Declaration is broken up into two programs: Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA).

• FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program can provide impacted Vermonters – both homeowners and renters who live in the declared counties – with financial support and direct assistance. For example, this can include rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, temporary lodging, and more. FEMA has made significant updates to this program since the July 2023 flood, so you are encouraged to apply even if you were not eligible for assistance last year.
  • Eligible to Apply Counties: Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties.
  • Deadline: The deadline to apply for this assistance is Monday, October 21, 2024.
  • Apply Here: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual
    
    
• FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program helps impacted towns and municipalities in declared counties to repair public infrastructure damaged by these early July floods. Individual Vermonters are not eligible to apply to this program and should instead see the IA program for assistance.
  • Eligible to Apply Counties: Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Essex, and Orange counties.
  • Deadline: The deadline to apply for this assistance is Friday, September 20, 2024.
  • For more information: https://vem.vermont.gov/funding/pa

• You do not need an appointment to visit a DRC.
• All locations are open Sunday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• To learn more and to find a Disaster Recovery Center open near you, click here: https://www.fema.gov/locations/vermont#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-2

**Important Reminder: Unfortunately, federal assistance is not a substitute for private insurance and likely will not compensate for all losses. However, it is still important to apply for support.**

Some Additional Resources

• Report All Damage to Vermont 211: Vermonters, businesses, and communities impacted by the July 2024 floods should report all damage to Vermont 211. 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/
  
  
• Get support from your local Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG): LTRGs bring together community organizations – such as nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government representatives, and businesses – to help people with long-term recovery needs after a disaster. Your local LTRG may be able to help you with rental assistance, temporary housing, relocation assistance, home repair, construction, and connection to legal services and other volunteer organizations. You can find more information HERE.
  
  
• July 2024 Vermont Flood Resources Compiled: You can find a larger list of resources HERE.
  
  
• Translated Flood Recovery Information: For translations of flood resources, see here: https://vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation
  
  
• The Crisis Cleanup Hotline: Need help cleaning up after the flood? Call the hotline for volunteer assistance at 802-242-2054.
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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/
  
  
• Unemployment Benefits: 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
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is one type of assistance that is included in the Major Disaster Declaration approval. Before you can apply for DUA, you must apply for regular unemployment benefits first. If you do not qualify, the Department of Labor will provide you with the application for DUA. 
    
    
• 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