7 Vermont counties receive FEMA major disaster declaration for early July storm

President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Phil Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for seven Vermont counties, according to a Tuesday press release from the governor’s office.

Residents and municipalities in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington counties are now eligible for federal funding to help recover from floods that swept through the state between July 9 and July 11 . The disaster declaration does not apply to damage caused by storms on July 30 , according to the press release.

Residents of the seven declared counties can now apply to FEMA’s individual assistance program, which provides reimbursement for flood recovery expenses that cannot be met through insurance. Rental assistance, home repairs and home replacement are eligible for reimbursement, according to the press release.

To apply for the program, Vermonters can register on FEMA’s disaster assistance website or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to Vermont’s 2-1-1 system , you must register with FEMA to apply for reimbursements, according to the press release.

The FEMA declaration also includes funding for a public assistance program, which can provide up to 75% reimbursement to cities and towns for emergency repairs made to public infrastructure. The Scott administration plans to announce a schedule of briefings for town applicants soon, according to the press release.

State officials have requested that Orange County be added to the declaration, according to the press release. Orange County was examined alongside the other seven counties when FEMA officials visited Vermont last month.

The state has also requested a natural disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would allow the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend emergency loans to farmers recovering from flooding. The Scott administration continues to work on a separate FEMA major disaster declaration request for damages related to the July 30 storm, the release said.

“The impact of this storm on communities and individuals has been significant, and while these federal resources won’t alleviate all of those burdens, this financial support is critical to our state’s recovery,” said Scott in the release.

Read the story on VTDigger here: 7 Vermont counties receive FEMA major disaster declaration for early July storm .