Recovery efforts continue following last week’s severe storms and flooding. Below is guidance and safety information as Vermonters clean up and seek assistance.
Homeowners/Businesses:
-Contact your insurance company.
-Report Damage to 211 by dialing 2-1-1 (leave a message, and please be patient) or visiting www.vermont211.org (link at the very top of the page). Even if you have minimal damage, please report it to 211 to give us an accurate picture of the damage. To be eligible for IA, we must meet a threshold of damages, so it is critical that we capture as much information as possible.
-When cleaning up, separate debris and leave it on the edge of the right-of-way for town disposal. Set aside hazardous materials for later disposal.
-Visit https://anr.vermont.gov/flood for more guidance on flood cleanup
- Safety tips on returning home after a flood: https://www.healthvermont.gov/flood (with non-English translations)
-Returning home after a flood in American Sign Language
To receive or offer help:
-To request volunteer assistance to help with cleanup contact the Crisis Cleanup Hotline: 802-242-2054.
-To volunteer for flood cleanup, visit www.vermont.gov/volunteer
- For mental health support, call: 9-8-8
Towns:
-Continue making repairs to public infrastructure, closely documenting costs, and taking pictures of progress. Should there be a disaster declaration, you will be reimbursed for response and recovery.
Damage assessments:
-The state of Vermont has requested a damage assessment from FEMA to determine if Vermont qualifies for a Public Assistance Disaster Declaration. Assessments will be done in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, and Essex counties.
-The state has also requested a damage assessment from FEMA to determine if Vermont qualifies for an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration. Assessments will be done in Washington and Caledonia counties. Regardless of what county you live in, please report damage to 211 by phone at 2-1-1 or www.vermont211.org.
-For more information on assessments, read our previous press release at https://vem.vermont.gov/news/state-requests-damage-assessment-disaster-…
Safety:
-Stay out of rivers and other waterways until they are free of debris and pollutants washed downstream by floodwaters.
-Returning home after a flood: https://www.healthvermont.gov/flood (with non-English translations)
-Returning home after a flood in American Sign Language
Links:
Report Damages to Vermont 211 – https://vermont211.org/
Volunteer for Storm Recovery – vermont.gov/volunteer
Donate to Flood Response – Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund – www.vtfloodresponse.org/
Vermont Department of Health – healthvermont.gov/flood
Agency of Natural Resources – anr.vermont.gov/flood
Agency of Agriculture – agriculture.vermont.gov/flood
Department of Mental Health – mentalhealth.vermont.gov/flood