Governor Peter Shumlin and Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Joe Flynn have asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to join state and local teams to conduct a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment in areas of Vermont impacted by flooding on July 28. The assessment is to determine if Windsor and Windham counties qualify for federal Public Assistance disaster funds to help towns repair public infrastructure damaged in the floods.
“The towns and individuals hit by this flooding suffered significant damage and we’ll continue to do everything we can to help all those affected get back on their feet,” Governor Shumlin said. “I encourage communities that have yet to report damage to do so as soon as possible so that we can ensure all available resources are directed to those working hard to rebuild.”
Communities have been reporting damage steadily throughout the week, and based on those reports the state estimates total damage to public infrastructure at over the $1 million minimum threshold required to qualify the state for assistance. Nearly all of that damage reported to date occurred in Windsor and Windham county towns, although additional damage reports may still come in from communities.
“As the week has gone on and repairs have been made, towns have gotten a better idea of how much repairs will cost,” VT DEMHS Director Joe Flynn said. “Those reports have brought the total above the threshold and support this request. That said, it is important for communities that suffered ANY damage to continue to report it to their local Regional Planning Commissions, and to communicate with their Agency of Transportation District regarding infrastructure damages, so we can develop a complete picture capturing all damages.”
The Governor and Director have asked FEMA to send a team to Vermont to verify damages and determine if the state and counties meet the threshold. To qualify the state must show $1-million in total public infrastructure damages. A county must show damages exceeding $3.50 per capita – which is approximately $198,345 for Windsor County and $155,796 for Windham County.
Sourcer: Governor's office. 8.1.2014.