On November 6, 2019

State seeks FEMA assistance from Halloween storm

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Vermont Tuesday Nov. 5 to assess damage from floods and winds on Nov. 1. Vermont Emergency Management Director Erica Bornemann has requested the Preliminary Damage Assessment to determine if the state qualifies for a federal major disaster declaration following the storm.

Teams from the state and FEMA will visit communities in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties beginning Tuesday.

Vermont officials have initially identified more than $3 million in damages to public infrastructure around the state and assessments are ongoing. To qualify for a declaration Vermont must show at least $1 million in response and public infrastructure recovery costs.  Individual counties must also show public infrastructure damages and recovery costs of $3.78 per capita, which includes restoration expenses for public utilities.  FEMA must verify the damage before the governor can request a disaster declaration.

A public assistance disaster declaration allows communities in declared counties to receive 75% reimbursement from the federal government for recovery costs associated with the storm. Eligible reimbursement costs include repair work on public roads and buildings, tree and debris removal from public rights of way, municipal employee time spent working on recovery, contractor help, equipment rentals, and other costs associated with the storm.

The assessment teams keep moving throughout the day so a detailed schedule of where they will be and when is difficult. Media wishing to follow a team can contact Mark Bosma at 802-839-6717 to coordinate coverage with a team.

Individual homeowners should report damage to their insurance company and to Vermont 2-1-1 for tracking purposes.  For homeowner’s insurance questions or assistance contact the Vermont Divisions of Financial Regulation insurance division at 800-964-1784.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Pride in Rutland: Flags, resistance, and showing up

June 25, 2025
By Emily Pratt Slatin Pride returned to downtown Rutland this June with more color, noise, and purpose than ever before. What began as a joyful celebration quickly became something deeper—something that felt like resistance. And belonging. And a promise that no one in this community has to stand alone. The day kicked off with the…

Plan to manage 72,000 acres of the Telephone Gap project is finalized

June 25, 2025
Staff report The U.S. Forest Service issued its final plan for managing 72,000 acres of public and private land on June 16. The proposed Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) within the towns of Brandon, Chittenden, Goshen, Killington, Mendon, Pittsfield, Pittsford, and Stockbridge. “The Telephone Gap project is…

Hot air balloons took flight over Quechee

June 25, 2025
By James Kent This past weekend, June 21-22, people came from all over New England to participate in the 45th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. Music, food, games, and fun were available for all ages throughout the weekend, but the main attraction was the hot air balloons. And for those looking to see these gigantic,…

Killington residents push for skate park as town reimagines recreation future 

June 25, 2025
By Greta Solsaa/VTDigger As Killington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its recreation center, some residents are pushing to make a skate park a new permanent fixture of the town’s summer offerings.  The town crafted its recreation master plan to holistically determine how to best use its resources to serve residents in the future, Recreation Department Director Emily Hudson…