The most effective way to recover from a disaster is to be prepared ahead of time.
There are very few federal programs that assist homeowners or renters in recovering property or repairing damage after any disaster. That’s why it’s important to check your insurance now to see against which hazards you are covered. Not many homeowners’ insurance policies cover flood damage, for example, so supplemental flood insurance may be a useful purchase.
For information on flood insurance contact the National Flood Insurance Program.
If you do suffer losses during a natural or man-made disaster, the following steps are recommended.
- Contact your insurance company
- Call or visit Vermont 2-1-1
211 is a free, confidential referral program for Vermonters. 211 could provide information on transitional housing if your home is damaged.
211 also compiles damage estimates to private property during a disaster and that data is used to determine if an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration from the federal government is warranted. - Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund
- Natural Resources Recovery Service