The Federal Emergency Management Agency is winding down more of its in-person Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont, nearly two months after catastrophic floods struck the state.
FEMA has operated a total of 13 such centers throughout the state, staffed by dozens of agency personnel. They’re intended to help Vermonters navigate the immediate aftermath of this summer’s floods, apply for federal aid and access other resources.
Now, as traffic at these locations has dwindled, FEMA is shutting them down one by one.
Disaster Recovery Centers located in Cabot and Johnson are closing Thursday and Friday, respectively. Montpelier’s location at Vermont College of Fine Arts packed up Wednesday. The Disaster Recovery Center located at Barre Auditorium is scheduled to close early this Saturday for an event, but it will remain open and return to its regular hours on Monday, according to the agency.
“Although some of the DRCs are closing, it doesn’t mean FEMA is leaving,” BrianaSummer Fenton, a FEMA spokesperson, told VTDigger on Thursday. “We’re still here. We’re still coordinating with the state to get survivors what they need.”
An up-to-date list of FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers and their hours of operation can be found at fema.gov/disaster/4720.
Vermonters have until Oct. 12 to apply to FEMA for individual flood assistance. Once Vermonters receive a response from FEMA, they have 60 days to appeal a decision, if they choose.
Vermonters can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA app, by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or in person at Disaster Recovery Centers. Learn more here.
As of Thursday afternoon, Disaster Recovery Centers remained open at the following locations:
Windham County
Wardsboro Town Hall
99 Main St
Wardsboro, Vermont 05355
Orleans County
Barton Memorial Building
17 Village Sq.
Barton, Vermont 05822
Washington County
Barre Auditorium
16 Auditorium Hill
Barre, Vermont 05641
Waterbury Armory
294 Armory Drive
Waterbury, Vermont 05676
