Flood Response & Recovery

The deadline to apply for the FEMA Public Assistance Program (PA) is 30 calendar days after the Federal Disaster Declaration date.

Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) Facebook Page

The latest flood updates from VEM: https://www.facebook.com/vermontemergencymanagement

Road Closures:

Visit https://newengland511.org/for state road closures.

Local road closures are not shown on 511; please respect all local detours. Some local road closures can be found on the Waze crowd-sourced navigation app. This free, Google-owned GPS app provides travelers with up-to-date navigation and traffic information. Municipalities can set up an account and use Waze to list local road closures.

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General

Cleanup

Protecting Workers and Volunteers During Flood Cleanup (VLCT)
Clean and Prevent Mold - Vermont Department of Health
Fuel Tank Spills – VANR Spills Program

Funding and Financing

Emergency Relief Assistance for Federal-Aid Highways - FEMA Public Assistance does not cover Federal-Aid Highways.
Vermont Bond Bank – VBB is actively tracking the short term and long term financing needs of Vermont's communities in support of borrowing.
Working Capital Financings: Federal Tax Law Considerations - Vermont Bond Bank guidance on when short term borrowings for municipalities can be completed on a tax-exempt basis.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance

After A Flood: Information for Flood-Damaged Communities - Municipal support for permitting and substantial damage estimation. Includes DEC contacts for assistance, coaching resources, and handouts and posts municipalities can use for property owner outreach.
Guidance: Help for Communities on How to Comply with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program After a Flood - Communities must complete Substantial Damage estimates and permitting to remain in good standing for the NFIP. Published 7/21/2023.
Resources for Municipal Administrative Officers - ANR guidance about Substantially Damaged (SD) and Substantial Improvement (SI) determinations. Includes draft public information post, template letter for building owner, and more.
FEMA SI/SD Checklist - Initial screening thresholds and included/excluded improvement cost

Water and Wastewater

Mutual Aid through Vermont Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (VT WARN) - Equipment and personnel assistance.
EPA: Lessons Learned from Water/Wastewater Utilities that Participated in FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program - Discusses Immediate Needs Funding for emergency work and has other practical advice. Published May 2012.

Where to Find Help

Report a Landslide to the Vermont Geological Survey - This is NOT for emergency response.
Property Concerns with Rivers and Streams - Frequently Asked Questions answered by Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Flood Safety Tips and Resources - Has contact list for plumbers and electricians by county and flood safety information sheets you can post or use for resident messaging.
Flood Risk and Historic Buildings - State Historic Preservation Office guidance
Mobile Home Condemnation and Public Building Assistance - Contact the Division of Fire Safety at 802-479-7561 for assistance.
Statewide Contracts Search Tool - AI powered tool to assist municipalities and other political subdivisions to purchase goods and services under the terms negotiated by the State Office of Purchasing and Contracting on select statewide contracts.
How to Manage Flood Damage to Trees - Recommended by the VT Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. Trees many need special, post-flood care to minimize longer-term damage.
Starting Over Strong Vermont - Flood recovery outreach program for individuals and communities through community outreach and access to mental health services. Municipalities can use this service for their employees and volunteers.

In addition to FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program, your municipality or residents may be eligible for the programs listed below. Deadlines for applications vary among the programs. These opportunities are described more fully on our Open Funding Opportunities webpage. Check back periodically as we will add to this list.

FHWA Emergency Relief - Supports repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands which have suffered serious damage because of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. These roads are NOT eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
Vermont Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) - Through this program, the State of Vermont pays a share of the required local match for FEMA Public Assistance. The State contribution is based on disaster preparedness actions taken by the municipality. Find your municipality's ERAF rate at Flood Ready Vermont.
USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) - The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor. Applications for this program have closed.
USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) Floodplain Buyout - Use this program where structure projects to reduce threats from flooding and erosion are not cost-effective and/or beneficial. (Use VEM's program first!)
EDA Disaster Supplemental Funding - Supports disaster recovery activities including economic recovery strategic planning grants, public works construction projects including broadband and resiliency projects, workforce development, capitalization of revolving loan funds, and economic development projects that enhance density in the vicinity of other economic development. Vermont qualifies for FY2022 funding.
USDA Rural Development Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG) - Helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Contact Rebecca Schrader, Lead Community Program Specialist, Rebecca.schrader@usda.gov, before pursuing an application
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - Supports projects such as mitigation of local roads and bridges, home acquisition (buyout), structural elevations or relocations, replacement of undersized culverts, mitigation outreach and education, etc. Project do not need to be directly connected to damage incurred from this disaster.
EPA Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability - Supports underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities to increase drinking water facility resilience to natural hazards. Disadvantaged Community is determined by the State’s affordability criteria.
Clean Water Initiative Flood Response and Recovery - Municipalities can use this funding to perform preliminary assessment of clean water project losses. Other municipal activities may be eligible. Last resort funding after sources like FEMA PA and insurance used.

State of Vermont

Vermont Emergency Management
Vermont Emergency Management Public Assistance
Agency of Natural Resources
Department of Environmental Conservation - After a Flood
Department of Health
Department of Mental Health
Department of Libraries
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation - Guidance for municipal parks and recreation departments
Division of Fire Safety - Safety and inspections after a flood
Division for Historic Preservation - Guidance for historic buildings and sites
Agency of Agriculture, Foods, and Market
Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Flood Ready Vermont
Vermont Bond Bank - Resources and reminders about short- and long-term financing needs, cost documentation best practices, etc. for response and recovery.

Other Resource Websites

Vermont Bond Bank - Flood Response Resource Page
National Weather Service Forecast Office - Burlington, Vermont
National Weather Service Forecast Office, - Albany, New York
Road Conditions
Track River Forecasts and Levels (National Weather Service)
Vermont 211 or Dial 211

General - Applies to Individual, Business, and Nonprofit Assistance

Governor's Office Flood Recovery Resources - Compilation of resources to help individuals and businesses navigate flood response and recovery.
Cleaning Up After the Flood Resources - Agency of Natural Resources guidance and resources
Guidance for Vermont Flood Recovery Health and Safety - Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Frequently Asked Questions
Clean and Prevent Mold - Vermont Department of Health
VT DEC Property Concerns with Rivers and Streams - Frequently Asked Questions
USDA NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program - For imminent threats to life and property. Projects or floodplain buyouts. Governmental entity must be applicant. 60-day window from disaster event to apply.
Vermont Language Justice Project Videos - Resource for non-English speakers to access flood safety information
Translated Recovery Materials - A variety of recovery materials translated to multiple languages
Report Damages to 211 Flyer - For posting
VT Division of Fire Safety Disaster Placards - What do the placards (tags) colors represent? Can they be removed?
Plumbers and Electricians Contact List - Published by the Vermont Secretary of State and the Division of Fire Safety. List is organized by county.
Vermont State and Local Level Referrals - Where to find help for disaster recovery needs.

Individual Assistance

Individual assistance - Site for reporting damages now to inform the state's FEMA request.
FEMA Individual Assistance Information - VEM website summarizing available assistance, non-monetary services, eligibility criteria, and more
Request Volunteer Help to Assist with Home Cleaning - Call VT 211. If you can't get through, try 866-652-4636 or 802-652-4636.
Debris Removal Guidelines for Private Residential Properties