Governor Peter Shumlin today announced that FEMA approved an Individual Assistance Declaration for Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans Counties, enabling homeowners and business owners to apply for federal financial assistance for everything from rebuilding costs to temporary housing expenses.
‘I appreciate the Obama administration moving so quickly to approve this request,’ the Governor said. ‘This assistance will help Vermonters who have suffered damage or the loss of their homes and businesses get back on their feet.’
Gov. Shumlin also thanked Vermont’s congressional delegation ‘ Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch ‘ for continuing to press Congress to replenish FEMA’s disaster assistance fund.
The counties of Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor had already been approved for individual assistance by the White House. Assessment of damage to homes and businesses in Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans Counties was completed on Sept. 13 and the declaration request submitted to FEMA on Sept. 14.
The IA declaration will allow home and business owners who sustained damage from the Tropical Storm to apply for reimbursement for repairs, temporary housing costs, septic system replacements, entrance and exit ways from the home, including privately owned access roads, and more. Vermonters impacted by the storm in these counties should call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.disasterassistance.org.
Shumlin announced later Friday that FEMA has approved a Public Assistance Declaration for Grand Isle County, ensuring that federal assistance for road, bridge and other public infrastructure repairs will be available for every county in the state.
‘This is great news,’ Shumlin said. ‘There has been extensive damage to roads, public buildings, bridges and other infrastructure all over the state, and Grand Isle County had high power restoration costs. I appreciate the Obama administration moving quickly to approve our Public Assistance Declaration request for the entire state.’
Damage estimates for Grand Isle County finalized on Wednesday exceeded the requirement to meet the federal threshold for assistance.