2023 Flood Resources

Today, Governor Scott has made a formal request to President Biden for federal disaster funds to assist individuals and communities recovering from the flood. The declaration request asks for funding under the federal Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. 

A Public Assistance disaster declaration, if approved, would allow communities in declared counties to receive at least 75% reimbursement for storm response and recovery, including repairs to public infrastructure.

The Individual Assistance program would help individuals impacted by the disaster seek reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance. Eligible expenses include rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, and lodging, among other expenses.

While we are likely weeks away from seeing FEMA officials on the ground to conduct public assistance visits, it’s never too early to be prepared. In the meantime, here are a number of resources, tips, and ways to stay up-to-date on conditions:

GENERAL

• Dial 911 to report a life-threatening situation or other emergency.

• Sign up for VTALERT to get real-time alerts and notices for your health and safety at https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert

• For general help, resources, or support - call 211, text your zip code to 211, or visit their website at https://vermont211.org/

UPDATES ON CONDITIONS: 

• Find local road closures at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1ejgW8lle0ooje7ME9nc9uvTQ3eGvAlA&hl=en_US&usp=sharing and state roads at https://newengland511.org/  

• Find current flood warnings from the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/btv/

CLEANING UP AFTER A FLOOD:

• How to Safely Pump Out Basements at https://anr.vermont.gov/content/how-safely-pump-out-basements

• Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance from EPA at https://www.epa.gov/flooded-homes

FEMA GUIDANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLDS: 

• FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Learn more at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program

• If you have insurance (such as flood, homeowners, renters, auto or other types of insurance), please file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible. You do not have to file your claim prior to applying for FEMA disaster assistance, but you will be required to provide FEMA your insurance settlement or denial before being considered for certain types of assistance.

• You can apply for FEMA assistance even if you don’t have insurance. If you have no flood insurance, FEMA’s IHP grant can help you in a specific set of ways after a flood or other disaster. Here’s a helpful overview: https://www.valuepenguin.com/no-flood-insurance-fema-sba-help

• Individuals who suffered losses in the storm should report that damage to Vermont 211, either by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting https://vermont211.org/ . This data will be used to inform a decision whether the state qualifies for a declaration.

• Be sure to document damage to buildings, equipment, and infrastructure caused by the storms and flooding. Take pictures and videos, write down timelines and notes while it is fresh in your memory, and save receipts. These things will be helpful for filing insurance claims and applying for FEMA funds.

• FEMA Flood Insurance Fact Sheets

• Starting Your Recovery After a Flood at https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/starting-your-recovery-after-flood

• What Does Flood Insurance Cover In A Basement? At https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/what-does-flood-insurance-cover-basement

• Once the Major Disaster Declaration has been authorized, you can apply for FEMA assistance in several ways: online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ ; or through the FEMA app by downloading it to a smartphone or tablet; or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

FEMA FOR TOWNS:

• Municipalities should continue making repairs to public infrastructure, documenting all work carefully for possible future reimbursement. Eligible reimbursement costs include repair work on public roads and buildings, tree, and debris removal from public rights of way, municipal employee overtime spent working on recovery, contractor help, equipment rentals, and other costs associated with the storm.

• Towns may use FEMA’s Public Assistance Project Templates (https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/tools-resources/templates-forms) to help track work. 

• You may wish to study up on what Public Assistance is and how it will help your community recover costs. Lastly, municipalities are encouraged to hire contractors, using well-constructed contracts that include appropriate risk management and insurance requirements, such as those found here. 

• Learn more about what FEMA will be looking for in the Applicant's Guide for Submitting Public Assistance Documents (https://vem.vermont.gov/sites/demhs/files/applicants%20guide.pdf) and download the FEMA Public Assistance Checklist (https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_pa-contracting-requirements-checklist.pdf) 

RESOURCES FOR TOWNS:

• The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated and remains open 24 hours a day through the response phase of this disaster. If your municipality has an immediate need, please call the SEOC at 1-800-347-0488 or 802-244-8721. 

RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS:

• 3SquaresVT households that lost food due to a "Household Misfortune" (such as a flood, fire, or power outages of more than 4 hours) may qualify for replacement benefits of the value of lost food. The household must report the loss within ten days of the misfortune.

• Need to speak to someone? Text: “Home” to 741741 to connect with someone at the crisis text line or call Northeast Kingdom Human Services, 24 hours a day at (802) 334-6744

• Learn about common legal and benefits issues after a disaster like flooding from VT Legal Aid at https://vtlawhelp.org/common-legal-and-benefits-issues-after-disaster-flooding.

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES:

• VSBDC Disaster Recovery Guide for Businesses contains all the steps small business owners need to take, and all the information one would need to gather post-disaster at https://www.vtsbdc.org/disaster-recovery/

• VBSR Flood Recovery Guide for Businesses details opportunities for businesses to both receive support and provide support at https://vbsr.org/news-item/vbsr-flood-recovery-guide-for-businesses/

SUPPORT FOR FARMERS:

• 2023 Flooding Disaster Response and Recovery Resources website at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/flood  

• CAE's Vermont Farm Fund has 0% interest emergency loans up to $10k at https://hardwickagriculture.org/farmers-food-businesses/vermont-farm-fund

• NOFA Vermont’s Farmer Emergency Fund is available to assist Vermont certified organic and NOFA-VT member commercial farmers. Farmers may request up to $2,500 in grants that do not need to be repaid at https://www.nofavt.org/farmer-emergency-fund

WAYS TO HELP:

• Register to volunteer through the State of Vermont at  www.vermont.gov/volunteer

• The Greensboro Association’s Community Relief Fund is collecting donations to support emergency services and flood recovery efforts in Greensboro and the surrounding towns. Donate at https://greensboroassociation.org/our-impact/community-relief-fund-for-flood-recovery/

• Donate to the Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 at https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response/

MORE INFO: 

• https://ptvermont.org/vermont-flood-guide-preparation-response-recovery/

• ​https://floodready.vermont.gov/ 

Stay safe, 

Rep. Katherine Sims