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5:00 p.m. 9.4.11

SEPTEMBER 4 - MONTPELIER -- Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced that Addison, Orange and Bennington Counties have received the Individual Assistance Declaration, joining Windham, Chittenden, Washington, Rutland and Windsor.

“This is critical for homeowners and businesses facing expensive damages and losses from Tropical Storm Irene,” the Governor said.

Assistance for losses sustained anytime after the storm may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recover from the effects of the disaster. Even those with insurance may be eligible for help from FEMA if their insurance policy does not cover all their needs, FEMA said.

To apply:

Step 1: Register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There are several ways to register:

  • Apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. 
  • Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY at 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to assist with the application process.
  • By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov, or for devices with the Android operating system, a FEMA App can be downloaded at market.android.com/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android.

When applying for aid you will receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA.

It is helpful to have the following information handy:

  • Current telephone number;
  • Address at the time of the disaster and current address;
  • Social Security number, if available;
  • A general list of damages and losses;
  • If insured, the name of insurance company, agent and policy number; and
  • Bank routing number for any direct deposit.

Step 2: Receive a property inspection.

Within a few days after registering, eligible applicants will be telephoned to make an appointment to have their damaged property inspected. The inspectors, who are FEMA contractors and carry identification badges, visit to make a record of damage. They do not make a determination regarding assistance. There is no cost for the inspection.

Step 3: All applicants will receive a letter from FEMA regarding the status of their requests for federal assistance. Some will also receive an application for a low-interest disaster recovery loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Anyone who has questions about the letter from FEMA should call the helpline (800-621-3362 or TTY, 800-462-7585).

Those who receive an application packet from the SBA should complete and submit the forms. No one is required to accept a loan but submitting the application may open the door to additional FEMA grants.

FEMA sent out 35 field reps to counties that have received the Individual Assistance Declaration.  These reps have been handing out materials residents will need and have been answering one on one questions.

The Governor outlined steps that his administration is taking in anticipation of more rainfall tonight and into tomorrow.  Emergency management officials are closely monitoring the weather and advising Vermonters to once again take precautions for the possibility of high water and power outages.

 

1200 9.4.11

Areas of Northern Vermont have been experiencing thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong wind gusts Sunday morning.  Those who see approaching storms should seek immediate shelter.  This is just the beginning of what could be a 36 hour period with rain, wind and hail; all areas of Vermont are under Flash Flood Watches.

 

The Vermont Emergency Operations Center is staffed and will handle any calls for assistance if communities experience problems during this storm or any other rain that is expected in the next 36 hours and beyond.  Swiftwater Rescue teams and National Guard high water vehicles are on notice should problems occur.

 

  • Please never drive across a flooded road as floodwaters can cause unseen washouts.
  • If you can hear thunder, even in the distance, the National Weather Service advises you are likely close enough to be struck by lightning – get indoors at the first sign of a storm.
  • If rivers or streams begin to rise in heavy rain, please seek higher ground immediately.
  • Stay away from fast running rivers and streams.  Stay off lakes and ponds where there are high winds.

 

Emergency responders and those taking part in storm recovery should also keep an eye on the weather and stop your activities should a storm approach.

 

The state of Vermont continues to restore roads, bridges, and electrical service to all areas of the state. 

 

The Vermont National Guard and members from the Maine National Guard are assisting with road repairs.  About 100 workers from the Maine Department of Transportation will also assist in the effort in the coming days.

 

Statewide power outages are now down to about 100.

 

 

1000 9/3/11

 

GOV. SHUMLIN'S REQUEST FOR WINDHAM COUNTY DISASTER DECLARATION ASSISTANCE GRANTED

 

Montpelier, Vt., - Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that his request to add Windham County to the Individual Disaster declaration was granted by the Federal Emergency Management Association. Windham, the southeast corner of the state, is the 5th Vermont County to qualify for federal aid to supplement state recovery efforts underway since Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont on Aug. 28.

 

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster exists in the State of Vermont and approved individual federal assistance for Windsor, Rutland and Chittenden County on Thursday.

 

"Extending aid to Windham County shows the federal assessors clearly understand the full scale of the storm and flood damage and are working closely with us to assist Vermonters though our recovery process," Gov. Shumlin said.  "I am once again thankful to President Obama for responding so quickly to our request for assistance."

 

Assessors continue to work in Addison, Bennington and Orange Counties and requests for assistance in those counties will be sent shortly. Also under the declaration, state and local government in 13 counties will be eligible for funds to assist with the cost of repairing damaged infrastructure including roads and schools.

 

Individuals reporting damage in Chittenden, Washington, Windham, Windsor and Rutland counties should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

 

The Governor announced yesterday that his office will remain open throughout the weekend as well as on Labor Day to answer questions and address concerns from Vermonters. 

 

1749 9/2/2011

Governor Shumlin Announces Additional Request to Secure Assistance for Windham County and Reports Road and Power Progress

 

Berlin, Vt., - Governor Shumlin today announced that he has requested the addition of Windham County to the Individual Disaster declaration granted yesterday.

 

"I am grateful to President Obama for turning around the Individual Disaster declaration for Chittenden, Rutland Windsor and Washington counties so quickly and am hopeful that assistance will now be granted quickly to Windham County," said Governor Peter Shumlin. " Assessors continue to work in Addison, Bennington and Orange County and I'm confident that we will be able to add these to our Individual Disaster declaration in the next few days."

 

The state continues to make remarkable progress in other critical areas as well. 118 sections of state roads were closed in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Today that number is down to 34. Power outages have dropped to under 1,000 and CVPS expects that most of those will be resolved by tomorrow.

 

"In the immediate wake of the storm we had over 50,000 Vermonters without power. The fact that five days later that number has dropped to under 1,000 demonstrates how well prepared our state's utilities were to handle this storm."

 

In addition, the Governor announced that his office will remain open throughout the weekend as well as on Labor Day to answer questions and address concerns from Vermonters. Vermonters can reach the office by calling 1-802-828-3333.

 

The Governor was joined by Elizabeth Miller, Commissioner of Public Service. Commissioner Miller has been working closely with Efficiency Vermont to encourage efficient rebuilds and to relax criteria on incentives in a manner that will help post-Irene rebuilds be done efficiently and cost effectively.

 

"As Vermonters start to rebuild their homes and businesses, Efficiency Vermont wants to help provide the assistance necessary to ensure that reconstruction yields healthier, safer, more energy efficiency places to live and work," said Commissioner Miller. "For immediate assistance, including help over this upcoming weekend, please visit www.efficiencyvermont.com or call toll free 1-888-921-5990."

 

Commissioner of Human Resources Kate Duffy and Conor Casey of VSEA also joined the Governor to unveil a volunteer program for state employees who are currently displaced from their offices and retired state workers. These current and former employees will be encouraged to volunteer to help various state agencies in their post-Irene recovery efforts at no extra financial benefit to themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1600 9/2/2011

ATTENTION VERMONT RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES:

DISASTER ASSITANCE NOW AVAILABLE

 

To register, contact FEMA at 800-621-3362, (TTY) 800-462-7585, or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

After registering with FEMA, homeowners and renters may be referred to SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) to apply for a low-interest disaster loan.  In times of disaster, SBA provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes.

If you receive an SBA disaster home or business loan application, complete and return it as soon as possible.  You do not have to wait on your insurance to settle or need to obtain repair estimates before submitting the application. 

Note: Home loan applicants that do not qualify for an SBA disaster loan may receive additional FEMA grant assistance.

 

Interest Rates as low as:

2.5% for homeowners/renters

4% for businesses

3% for non-profit organizations

 

Disaster Loan limits are:

Up to $200,000 for damage to primary residence

Up to $40,000 for damage to personal property (including vehicles) or homeowners and renters

Up to $2 million for damage to business property – small businesses and most non-profit organizations, with or without physical damage, are also eligible for working capital loans for disaster-related cash flow problems

 

For information about SBA’s disaster loan program, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, (TTY) 800-877-8339 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Eligible applicants may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/, or visit www.sba.gov.

 

9/1/2011

Businesses Asked to Call Agency of Commerce to Report Damage

 

BURLINGTON, VT - Businesses that have suffered damage in this week's storms should call the Agency of Commerce disaster hotline at 802-828-3211 to report the damage.

 

Businesses could become eligible for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration for storm damage, including loss of revenue due to the storm.  Businesses should start to clean up now, making sure to take plenty of pictures and account for loss of revenue in order to eventually apply for assistance.

 

The first step in the recovery process is reporting damage to the Agency of Commerce at 802-828-3211.

 

Individual home owners should report their damage to 211.

 

Vermont Emergency Management will operate its Emergency Operations Center at the FEMA offices in Burlington at least until the end of the week.  Contact information for the media is 802-951-2708.

 

9/1/2011

Public Should Call 211 to Report Damage to Homes

 

BURLINGTON, VT - Those who suffered damage to their homes during this week's floods should cal 211 to report that damage.  Those reports will be forwarded to FEMA to assist in its damage assessment to determine if Vermont qualifies for grants to homeowners.

 

Homeowners can begin making repairs to their homes as soon as they are able.  Please take photos of your damage and keep all receipts for work performed.  You should also keep any hotel receipts or any other housing expenses incurred while you were displaced.

 

FEMA inspectors are out in the field now assessing damage to homes.  However, if you have not called 211 it is not too late, Vermont is early in the relief process and you have time to report your damage.  211 is a reporting point only and new contact information will be provided to register once a declaration has been made.

 

211 is now operating with a more call takers, if you get voice mail please leave a message and it will be returned in due course.  Please DO NOT call 211 for road conditions.  You can call 511 or go to vem.vermont.gov for links to local and state road closures.  These maps are updated as soon as possible but repairs are constantly evolving so please be patient as the information could be out dated at any time.

 

All Vermont towns are now accessible by road.  However, these roads are extremely rough so the public is asked to not visit flooded areas unless absolutely necessary.  Excess traffic will make permanent repairs take much longer.

 

Vermont Emergency Management will operate its Emergency Operations Center at the FEMA offices in Burlington at least until the end of the week.  Contact information for the media is 802-951-2708.

 

VERMONT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

 

Vermont Emergency Operations Center August 30 Afternoon Update

BURLINGTON, VT – Relief operations continued on Tuesday and will continue into the night.  Road crews report progress on state and local roads, supplies have been delivered to some towns in need, and more recovery efforts were coordinated for the coming days.  

Air and ground operations are being carried out to deliver supplies to communities that have been cut off by flooding or have limited access and need supplies.  The supplies include water, food, medicine, diapers, formula, and other necessities.  The Guard operated with two helicopters today.  The Guard also trucked in supplies to communities that and will add between four and eight additional aircraft tonight.

Engineers from the National Guard in Maine will be deployed to Vermont in the next couple of days to help with road repairs, and helicopters from the Illinois National Guard are coming to help with commodities.

The Vermont State Police continue to perform road inspections, security, and welfare checks in isolated areas.

“The Vermont State Police continues to play a significant role in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene,” Colonel Thomas L’Esperance, Director of the Vermont State Police says.  “Since Sunday, we increased our force to 130 Troopers maintaining 24 hour coverage.  The devastation caused by this storm is historic, but I assure all Vermonters, the mission of the Vermont State Police to protect and serve the citizens and visitors of our state will not be compromised.”

13 towns had been inaccessible by roads at the beginning of today.  Route 100 into Stratton and Rochester were opened today, however those roads are extremely rough and largely for local traffic and emergency vehicles only.  The Agency of Transportation’s goal is to have the remainder of those towns accessible by tonight and work is continuing around the clock to connect all towns.

The situation is still very active and any or all of this information could change at any time.  Please be patient as information is being issued as accurately as possible.

Vermont Emergency Management will operate its Emergency Operations Center at the FEMA offices in Burlington at least until the end of the week.  Contact information for the media is 802-951-2708.

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