FEMA

Money has started flowing into Vermont to cover flood damage from early July, but congressional inaction means that local governments will have to wait for federal assistance.

At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Scott says he expects to hear from the White House “very soon" on if Vermont will qualify for federal aid following flooding from Hurricane Beryl.

The overnight storm earlier this week dropped record rainfall on the region, destroyed homes, stranded residents and washed out roads. State officials say they've already tallied over $6 million in damage to public infrastructure.

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch says he envisions an entirely new federal disaster response system, in which state and local entities would be authorized to distribute the billions of dollars in public and individual assistance that are currently administered by FEMA.

Vermont Edition speaks with Stephanie Smith, the state hazard mitigation officer with Vermont Emergency Management, about the property buyout program.

People in hard-hit Northeast Kingdom towns like St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville and Barnet are surveying damage and figuring out how they'll carry on after last week's flooding. Some are facing permanent displacement.

Interviews with flood survivors, state and local officials and current and former FEMA employees reveals a pattern of administrative bloat at a federal agency that, to many Vermonters, seemed less interested in providing assistance than in finding ways to reject requests for aid.

Rains flooded parts of Stowe's Gold Brook last Sunday, rendering some roads in the eastern part of town completely impassable.

Counties eligible for federal funding include Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Windham and Windsor. They will be able to reimburse 75% of eligible recovery costs through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

In Weston, the select board is being asked to support a FEMA buyout of a commercial property. The board has to weigh losing the village store with accepting the effects of climate change on the downtown.