Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Caledonia and Orange counties now eligible for FEMA individual assistance

State and federal officials announced Friday that Caledonia and Orange counties are now part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster declaration for Vermont's recent flooding.

Residents in those counties are eligible for FEMA individual assistance. They join Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties.

Gov. Phil Scott and other officials urged people to continue reporting flood damage to their homes, businesses and property to 2-1-1.

Report damages here.

The governor says this data is what FEMA uses to determine whether a county has seen sufficient damage to be included in a disaster designation.

Orleans County is still not part of the disaster declaration, despite serious damage in communities like Coventry and Barton.

 A photo of a flooded town.
Town of Coventry
/
Courtesy
Coventry is among the Vermont towns to experience historic flooding this month.

State officials urged people in Orleans County and others not currently part of the disaster declaration to continue to file damage reports using 2-1-1, for everything from flooded cars to damaged driveways to flooded basements and garages.

The governor said that reporting even minor damage to your own property may help unlock key funding to support a neighbor or other community member in recouping major losses to their property and belongings.

Making the call does NOT commit an individual to anything. It just contributes to the data available for FEMA and other state and federal agencies to understand the level of need in your community.

 A photo of mud and water covering a backyard of a blue house, with a broken trampoline in the foreground. The cloud in the sky reflects in the water on the ground.
Elodie Reed
/
Vermont Public
The backyard of Gisele Pion's house, who was among the Derby residents to experience serious flooding after Sunday night's heavy rain. Homeowners in Orleans County are still not eligible for federal assistance.

New relief coming:

  • The USDA has issued a natural disaster declaration for all 14 Vermont counties for crop damages from the historic May freeze. The agency is still reviewing Vermont’s application for a declaration due to flooding damages. 
  • To date the state has reported: 9,424 acres of lost crops, impacting about 200 farmers and producers. Farmers should continue to report damages to the USDA and 2-1-1. This could help unlock further assistance for farms. More info about how to report farm damage here.
  • Next week the state is launching a $20 million grant program for businesses physically impacted by flooding. Called the Business Restart Gap Assistance Program, the goal is to help businesses reopen and pay employees until more resources are available. More details on this coming next week.
 A person pushes mud across a floor with a broom inside a restaurant
Brian Stevenson and Kyle Ambusk
/
Vermont Public
Cleanup at Arandas Mexican Cuisine in Montpelier on Tuesday, July 11.

Key takeaways for individuals and business owners:

  • Individuals in Chittenden, Lamoille, Rutland,  Washington, Windham and Windsor counties have until Sept. 12 to file for assistance from FEMA. Read our guide for how to do this here.
  • Individuals in Caledonia and Orange counties have 60 days from July 21 – until Sept. 19 –  to apply for individual assistance from FEMA. 
  • Businesses in counties with disaster declarations are eligible now to apply for Small Business Administration loans. State officials acknowledged this is not enough, and said securing more funding will be up to Vermont’s congressional delegation.
  • Officials are urging Vermonters who were flooded to move their unsalvageable debris into the right-of-way for public collection as soon as possible. If you weren’t impacted, they recommend helping your neighbor do this work. Collection windows are limited and getting debris out of the streets will help towns move forward with clean-up and recovery.
  • The Vermont Strong license plates are coming back, with a new design. More information on this in the coming days.

Flood recovery resources

      Abagael is Vermont Public's climate and environment reporter, focusing on the energy transition and how the climate crisis is impacting Vermonters — and Vermont’s landscape.

      Abagael joined Vermont Public in 2020. Previously, she was the assistant editor at Vermont Sports and Vermont Ski + Ride magazines. She covered dairy and agriculture for The Addison Independent and got her start covering land use, water and the Los Angeles Aqueduct for The Sheet: News, Views & Culture of the Eastern Sierra in Mammoth Lakes, Ca.
      Latest Stories