Update on Storm Disaster Assistance
President Biden Has Approved Governor Scott's Major Disaster Declaration Request
The Biden Administration has approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a FEMA major disaster declaration for Vermont to assist individuals and communities in recovering from flooding that occurred from July 9 to 11, 2024.
Individual Assistance (IA)
This provides funding for individuals in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties to apply to FEMA for assistance.
IA helps individuals and households impacted by the disaster seek some reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance. (Ex. Rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, lodging, etc.)
To apply for IA funds, impacted Vermonters in the eligible counties should register at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to 2-1-1, you must register with and apply to FEMA.
Apply for Individual Assistance
Public Infrastructure
The declaration also includes funding to help cities and towns in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties repair and restore public infrastructure damaged by the floods. Vermont has requested Orange County be added to the declaration. A decision on that request will be made shortly.
The Public Assistance program allows communities to receive 75% reimbursement for emergency storm repairs to public infrastructure. Town applicant briefings will be scheduled and announced soon.
Business Assistance
FEMA does not provide business assistance. However, the State of Vermont’s Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal will reopen soon. The legislature approved $7 million to provide rapid relief to businesses, farms, and nonprofits that sustained physical damage from the 2024 flooding events. There is also $5 million to provide ongoing physical damage recovery for businesses from the 2023 floods. More information on BEGAP is forthcoming.
Efficiency Vermont is providing technical and financial assistance to replace flood-damaged equipment with energy-efficient technologies.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is making available two loan programs to businesses that suffered damage on July 9, 10, and 11. Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal or other locally announced locations. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance.
Please Note
This declaration does not include damage to private and public property caused by storms on July 30. A separate FEMA major disaster declaration request will be made for that storm soon. Homeowners and renters should still report damages and losses related to the July 30 storm to 2-1-1.
For farmers, the Governor has also requested a Secretarial natural disaster designation for multiple counties which will allow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to agricultural producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Currently, FSA is requesting to run programs to repair and restore agricultural land and to provide payments for losses on crops and livestock holdings.
Individuals and municipalities that suffered damage in all recent storms should continue to clean up and make repairs. Take photos and thoroughly document expenses.
The State will continue to provide updates to help eligible individuals apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, including the availability of Disaster Recovery Centers for in-person support.