Obama declares seven Vermont counties disaster areas

The US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Vermont to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of June 25 to July 11, 2013.
The president’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding in Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
The declaration allows communities in those counties to receive at least 75 percent federal reimbursement for repairs to public roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that was damaged during the storm. In addition, all counties are eligible to apply for assistance for work to prevent or reduce long-term risk from natural hazards.
‘I appreciate the help from President Obama, and the hard work of our federal congressional delegation, to ensure Vermont communities get the assistance they need to recover from these storms and flooding,’Gov. Shumlin said. ‘Vermont has been pounded by storms, high winds and flooding this spring and summer. This federal aid is critical for town rebuilding and prevention work.’
Repairs to damaged areas are on-going and communities will be reimbursed for eligible work. Communities can also seek repayment for equipment rentals, and for fuel for that equipment, the cost of contractor assistance, municipal employee overtime tied directly to storm response and restoration, as well as other expenses.
The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will hold kickoff meetings in the seven counties to help communities start the application process. The dates and locations of those meetings will be announced when they are finalized.
Mark H Landry has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Landry said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.