Following the flooding event from July 7-12, 2023 (#VTFlood23), President Biden approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for Vermont to assist individuals, businesses, and communities recover. The declaration covers Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Winsor Counties. The counties of Addison, Bennington, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Orleans are eligible for certain limited assistance. Evaluations by FEMA and other federal and state officials continue and other areas may be added to the declaration. Also, the declaration dates remain open-ended in case further weather events occur.
FEMA to date has sent over 400 personnel into Vermont to help with housing and infrastructure recovery in those eight counties. The SBA also is making loans available to businesses and several nonprofits, including the Vermont Community Foundation, is helping businesses recover with grants funded by private businesses and organizations.
Governor Phil Scott declared a State of Emergency on July 9. In order to expand recovery resources and receive direct support, the governor is urging anyone affected by the flooding to contact Vermont 211. You can call or better yet go to https://vermont211.org/.
State of Vermont Flood resource Page: https://www.vermont.gov/flood
Agency of Commerce and Community Development Resource Page: https://accd.vermont.gov/flood
Vermont Small Business Development center: Technical Assistance and Flood Resources for Businesses: https://www.vtsbdc.org/flood-2023/
Federal Assistance for Businesses
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents in Vermont following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to damages from severe storms and flooding that began on July 7.
The disaster declaration covers Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Addison, Bennington, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Orleans
Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 12, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 15, 2024.
For Farmers and Agricultural Producers
The Governor has requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a disaster designation for the State of Vermont to open the availability of low-interest USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans to farms and farmers. As of July 21, that designation has not been issued.
- If your farm has sustained damage, report your losses to the Farm Service Agency. You can email [email protected] or call 802-828-5667.
- There are also multiple funds that you can apply to now. Farmers can request up to $5,000 in grants from the Farmer Emergency Fund and can apply for up to $10,000 in emergency loans from the Vermont Farm Fund.
For Restaurants
The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has issued guidance for restaurants on reopening after a flood. VDH also released specific guidance related to reopening and operating under a boil water notice. This guidance is part of VDH’s Food and Lodging Program.
Unemployment Insurance Information
Vermont has been authorized to offer Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA is a federal program designed to help people who lost their jobs because of a natural disaster. This program gives temporary money to those who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
- Before you can apply for DUA, you must apply for regular unemployment benefits first. If you do not qualify, the Department of Labor will provide you with the application for DUA.
- Claimants have 31 days to apply for DUA from the date the claimant's county was announced as a major disaster area (If the due date falls on a weekend, the last day to file will be the following Monday). Counties and dates of announcement are listed below. The Department will let you back date your claim to the week of July 9th to July 15th, 2023, which is the first week of eligibility.
VT DOL - Disaster Unemployment Assistance page: https://labor.vermont.gov/dua
DUA Fact Sheet - https://labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/doc_library/DUA_FactSheet.pdf
Dept of Labor FAQs - https://labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/doc_library/DUA%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf
DUA process - https://labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/doc_library/Disaster%20Unemployment%20Assistance%20%282%29.pdf
Vt Tax Department Information
VT taxpayers impacted by flooding and unable to meet Vermont tax deadlines occurring between July 7, 2023, and November 15, 2023, will now have until November 15, 2023, to file and pay taxes. Due dates between July 7, 2023, and November 15, 2023, will automatically be extended for taxpayers impacted by the flooding.
To Volunteer or Donate
Volunteer Resources
- If you are looking to volunteer in the cleanup efforts.
- If you are an organization seeking volunteers, you can email [email protected] and provide contact information and details of your need.
- If you have coordinated a volunteer group, you can email [email protected] and include contact information, capabilities, and number of individuals.
Donate to Storm Recovery Efforts
- Vermont Main Street Flood Relief Fund has been established to provide grants to small businesses in the wake of the storm.
- The Vermont Community Foundation has opened the VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 to support Vermonters responding to and recovering from the floods.
- United Way of Addison County https://tinyurl.com/3ds7fyue
- Vermont Foodbank - donate to Disaster Recovery Support (statewide)
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-VT) - donate to Farmer Emergency Fund
Other Resources
USDA Resources: vt-disaster-relief-summerflood-072023.pdf (usda.gov)
Flood Safety Resources
VT Emergency Alert System - sign up to receive emergency alert notices for your area
National Weather Service - for weather updates & alerts
VT Emergency Management - public safety emergency information
VT Department of Health - guidance, in multiple languages, about how to stay safe before, during, and after a flood
VT Agency of Natural Resources - information on drinking water notices & safety, landslide activity, dams status
VT Agency of Transportation - current road conditions in Vermont
New England 511 - state road closures throughout Vermont & New England. For local road conditions, check with individual towns.
Vermont Language Justice Project - information on staying safe during a flood in 17 different languages
Flood Recovery Resources
Vermont 211 - report flood damage and find housing & social service assistance
Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) - individual & business assistance for areas with an approved disaster declaration
VT Agency of Agriculture - federal & state assistance for farmers who have lost crops, livestock, or had infrastructure damage
VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development and VT Small Business Development Center - resources for small businesses
VT Department of Labor - information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance for individuals who've lost jobs due to flooding
VT League of Cities and Towns - information on assistance for municipalities
VT Consumer Assistance Program - information on avoiding scams while applying for assistance or making donations
VT Department of Financial Regulation - information on flood insurance resources
Vermont Foodbank - food assistance information
Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network - resources for arts & cultural organizations
VT Crowd-Sourced Flood Resource List - many helpful links, phone numbers, and information for flood-impacted areas
Source: Addison County Economic Development Corp & VermontBiz.
