Editor’s note: We added more information, below, from the members of the Vermont Legislature, submitted by Sen. Anthony Pollina, D-Washington County.
Local Help
Contacting Vermont Emergency Management: Vermonters who have property affected by the storm should still call the state. There are several lines in addition to the 211 number now in operation. Please note that it is critical to acquiring recovery aid that a statewide inventory of the damage is taken. Also, if a property owner makes repairs, it is important to document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance.
Individuals: Individuals reporting property damage should still call 211.
Businesses: Businesses should call the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at (ACCD) at 828-3211 to report damage that will be collated for VEM and FEMA. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance. The information needed when businesses make the call is: name of business, location (complete address), description of damage, point of contact, date damage occurred. There are additional questions for historic properties.
Farms: To report damages to property such as but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call your county USDA Farm Service Agency or your county Natural Resources Conservation Services office. Organizations such as the Vermont Farm Bureau (802-434-5646) or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122) can also be called. These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture which will forward it to VEM. Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803).
Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses: The Governor and legislative leaders announced their intentions of an expanded version of the Emergency Flood Assistance Program to provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. This program, administered by VEDA, was created after this spring’s floods and there is some money currently available to jump-start the dissemination of loans. These loans will be administered immediately. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website (http://www.veda.org/) for more information.
Fuel Disposal: If you find a fuel tank on your property or floating in floodwaters, please contact the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association at 802-223-7750 or info@vermontfuel.com.
Federal Help
Initial Federal Response: Yesterday President Obama declared a State of Emergency in Vermont. This means federal funds will be released to be used for immediate emergency related efforts. For example, responders will now have a mobile operational van to assist Vermont’s temporary emergency operations center. They expect to be assisting with such activities as the in the removal of debris, engineering support for V-Trans, and possibly helping with ready-to-eat meals for the Red Cross. Costs with be shared 75% federal 25% state.
Public and Individual Assistance: Vermont Emergency Management (VEMA) and FEMA are still primarily in “response” mode, focused on safety and security but are shifting to “recovery” mode. Governor Shumlin will be asking President Obama for Public and Individual Assistance under a major disaster declaration. If granted, this declaration would provide significant federal and state assistance to municipalities for repair and replacement of bridges, as well as substantial grant and loan assistance for Vermont families whose homes or apartments were damages or destroyed. Again, costs will be shared 75% federal/12.5% state/12.5% local.
Disaster aid to individuals generally falls into the following categories:
• Disaster Housing may be available for up to 18 months, using local resources, for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
• Disaster Grants, are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
• Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.
• Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and Veteran’s benefits. Other state or local help may also be available.
• Assistance Process — After the application is taken, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications require more information and approval may take several weeks after application. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the President’s major disaster declaration.
The first step to acquiring recovery aid is to take a statewide inventory of the damage. Vermont businesses, municipalities and individuals should call 211 to report property damages. If a property owner makes repairs, it is important to document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance. Reporting damage to 211, however, is not the same as registering for federal disaster aid. If the state does receive a disaster declaration, property owners will have to register separately with FEMA. Stay tuned for more information.
Other useful Websites and Resources:
Vermont Travel Information Services: http://www.511vt.com/
This interactive website displays a map of state roads and possible points of incidents/caution. The site is updated daily and as accurate as possible. The “last updated” feature allows you to see how fresh the information is. AOT has also created a call center which can be reached at (800) 866-7099.
Ride Share: https://www.rideproweb.com/vt/service.asp?Authenticated=False
This site is designed for commuters to find car pools, but can be a valuable asset for individuals whose cars are damaged or destroyed. â¨
Vermont Emergency Management Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-Emergency-Management/142566220102
The most up to date information for VEM can be found on their Facebook page. If you “like” VEM on Facebook you will be given automatic updates as their status changes. They also have Great links to press releases and other information.
CONTACT INFO FOR FLOOD VICTIMS:
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, contact information for businesses and individuals seeking flood-related help.
http://www.dca.state.vt.us/
Vermont Economic Development Authority website, low-interest loans available for businesses damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.
http://www.veda.org/
Small Business Administration, Vermont district office, for help with small business loans, grants and financing.
http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3156
Farm Service Agency in Colchester, for Vermont farmers seeking assistance and information about farm-related flooding and to report damage.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=vt&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing
Google-VTrans road closure map
http://crisislanding.appspot.com/?crisis=2011_flooding_vermont
Seven Days crowdsourced map of Vermont flooding locales:
http://7d.blogs.com/blurt/2011/08/irene-vermont-photos.html
Vermont Citizen blog coordinating helpers and victims:
http://vtresponse.wordpress.com/press-information/
Vermont Agency of Transportation Rideshare Program:
http://www.connectingcommuters.org/
The Stowe Reporter’s list of help sites and groups:
http://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/news/local_news/article_ac96954e-d355-11e0-9da0-001cc4c002e0.html
The Governor’s Office:
http://governor.vermont.gov/
Contact information for Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders: http://sanders.senate.gov/
Contact information and Q&A on flood assistance from Vermont Congressman Peter Welch’s website:
http://welch.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1534&Itemid=32
Contact information for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy:
http://leahy.senate.gov/issues_and_legislation/issues/issue/?id=9bc8549f-c174-41e2-b67f-fffbaa364439
Contact numbers and website for Vermont League of Cities and Towns:
http://www.vlct.org/
FEMA’s guide to cleaning up a home after flooding:
http://vem.vermont.gov/home/return
The Vermont Travel and Tourism Department’s guidance for travelers and visitors:
http://www.vermontvacation.com/
