Vermonters in areas devastated by the July 9-11 floods are officially on tap to receive federal relief dollars, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The state’s latest major federal disaster declaration will cover damage amassed from a mixture of flooding, severe storms, landslides and mudslides in seven counties : Chittenden, Addison, Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington.
“The impact of this storm on communities and individuals has been significant, and while these federal resources won’t alleviate all those burdens, this financial support is critical to our state’s recovery,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a press release on the day of the declaration . “I appreciate President Biden and FEMA’s support, and we’re ready to help Vermonters and municipalities throughout recovery.”
Who can apply for federal money after July floods?
Residents and business owners in these counties are eligible for financial assistance with temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, low-cost loans to mitigate uninsured property losses and other relief programs. Cities and towns within the seven eligible counties can also apply for 75% reimbursement for public infrastructure repairs and restoration.
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Additionally, state and qualifying local governments and some non-profit organizations may apply for funding on a “cost-sharing basis” for emergency work on facilities ravaged by the severe weather event. Funding for statewide hazard mitigation efforts is also accessible on a cost-sharing basis.
How to apply for federal disaster relief in Vermont after July 2024 floods
Eligible Vermonters can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by downloading the FEMA app. Residents will still need to register with and apply to FEMA even if they have reported damage to 2-1-1 previously.
The Green Mountain State has requested that FEMA make Orange County eligible for relief funding under the July 9-11 disaster declaration. Vermonters will know FEMA’s answer soon, according to the governor’s office.
Will Vermont receive more relief money?
The July 9-11 floods mark Vermont’s fourth federal declaration this year and the sixth within the last 15 months, the most recent taking the form of an emergency declaration in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby earlier this month.
Scott has also put in a request for a secretarial natural disaster declaration for several counties in the aftermath of the July 9-11 floods, which would provide emergency loans to impacted farmers. The USDA Farm Service Agency is seeking to fund programs to mend agricultural land and reimburse crop and livestock holdings losses.
Additionally, the state is in the process of submitting a major federal disaster declaration request for flooding that occurred on July 30, according to Scott’s office. Damages and losses accumulated from that storm should continue to be reported to 2-1-1.
Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont gets FEMA disaster relief money for fourth time in 2024: Who is eligible now
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