The Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) has asked for an expansion of a Preliminary Damage Assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to include eight additional counties. The added counties are Addison, Caledonia, Essex, Grand Isle, Orange, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor. The assessment initially included Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, and Orleans counties. An initial review of damages suggests 12 Vermont counties could qualify for federal disaster assistance following response to and recovery from a severe winter storm that began on December 9th. The counties above could qualify for aid under a Public Assistance disaster declaration.
A team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency began a Preliminary Damage Assessment with VT DEMHS and Vermont Electric Cooperative on December 17th. An initial review showed restoration costs exceeding $4-million that could make communities and utilities in northern and central Vermont eligible for federal assistance.
Under the federal Stafford Act, publicly owned and municipal utilities can be eligible for 75% federal reimbursement of restoration costs should the state and counties meet federal thresholds. A Public Assistance disaster declaration would also assist towns in paying for repairs to public infrastructure and some response and recovery costs.
To qualify for assistance Vermont must show at least $1-million in verified damage; individual counties must also meet a separate threshold of $3.56 per capita to be eligible for assistance. Should the thresholds be met, Gov. Peter Shumlin would forward a formal request to FEMA, which would then determine whether or not to recommend that President Barack Obama sign the declaration.
Source: Vermont Division of Emergency Management 12.19.2014. Photos courtesy GMP