The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that federal disaster assistance will be made available to Vermont to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe thunderstorms and flooding from June 29 to July 1, 2017.
Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Orange, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor counties.
“This declaration will provide much-needed financial relief for the communities that that were affected and continue to have significant cleanup and repairs to complete after this storm,” said Gov. Phil Scott. “I commend the local and state officials and work crews for their recovery efforts, and thank our federal partners, including FEMA and the White House staff for their responsiveness.”
Town leaders will be able to start the reimbursement process at applicant briefings, which were expected to be announced soon thereafter by Vermont Emergency Management. The briefings will outline the requirements for receiving federal awards and maximizing eligibility of repairs. Vermont Emergency Management, Agency of Transportation district personnel, and FEMA will guide town officials through the application process. An applicant briefing will be held at the VTrans District 3 office in Mendon on Wed. Aug. 30.
The declaration also includes funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for towns, state agencies, and approved nonprofit organizations statewide. This program provides funding for a variety of mitigation activities, including home buyouts, structural elevations, flood proofing and public infrastructure upgrades for roads, bridges and culverts in vulnerable locations.
