2024 Flooding in Vermont
July 10-11, 2024
- On July 10-11, 2024, Vermont experienced flooding in numerous communities across several counties.
- On July 10, Governor extended the 2023 flood State of Emergency to cover the current flood response. This declaration makes state resources, like the National Guard, available, activates the State Emergency Operations Center and waives select regulations to allow for faster recovery.
- On August 20, President Joseph Biden approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a FEMA major disaster declaration. This declaration makes individuals impacted by the July 9 to 11 floods in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties eligible for Individual Assistance from FEMA. See below on how to apply. It also provides Public Assistance, for public infrastructure damage, for these same counties.
July 29-31, 2024
- On July 29-31, 2024, Vermont experienced a second round of flooding in numerous communities across the Northeast Kingdom. Many communities suffered additional damage after impacts from the July 10-11 storms.
- Flood response for this storm’s damage, including all available tools and authority, are covered under the existing State of Emergency.
- On August 28, Governor Scott submitted the formal request to President Biden for a Major Disaster Declaration for damage in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties. The State is awaiting a decision from the President.
Federal & State Assistance for July 10-11 Survivors
A Major Disaster Declaration was declared for individuals impacted by the July 9 to 11 floods in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties.
FEMA Individual Assistance FEMA Individual Assistance The Individual Assistance (IA) program helps people impacted by the disaster seek some reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance. Eligible expenses include rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, lodging, and other expenses. To apply for IA funds, impacted Vermonters in the eligible counties should register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to 2-1-1, or FEMA visited your home as part of its early August “assessment,” you must register with and apply to FEMA to get your Individual Assistance benefits.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Those suffering damage due to July 10-11 flooding in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington counties can apply for SBA Disaster Loans, including:
- Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
- Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles
- For more information and to apply, visit sba.gov/disaster.
Additional Assistance
For Farms: Farm operators in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Chittenden, Lamoille and Washington counties impacted by either flood in July 2024 can apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans (there are eligibility requirements) under the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s Secretarial Disaster Declaration. Information about USDA’s disaster assistance programs is available at www.farmers.gov/recover. Producers interested in these programs are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.
For Businesses, Non-Profits and Farms: The State of Vermont’s Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) is a grant program for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damages from flooding events. This includes farms and landlords. Funding is for property damaged in the 2023 and/or 2024 floods. Eligibility and grant calculations differ depending on several factors. For more information, or to apply, visit accd.vermont.gov/BEGAP.
What to do if your home or business was damaged
- Connect for immediate needs and services:
- Document damage: Documenting your damage is important for two reasons: 1) it will be useful if you submit an insurance claim and 2) it will help the state apply for federal disaster assistance. Below are tips to help you with this process:
- Take pictures, videos, and notes before you start cleaning.
- Take pictures, videos, and notes during the cleanup.
- Save receipts to keep track of your clean up expenses.
- Get home clean and dry:
- Remove all wet materials from your home and move flood debris.
- Open windows and doors.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers if safe.
- Move flood-related debris to the to the edge of the public right of way. State and local leaders are currently working on plans to remove it. Set aside hazardous materials for later disposal.
- Report damage:
- Contact your insurance company. The Department of Financial Regulation has published a helpful set of frequently asked questions on how to navigate property damage.
- Report all damage, even if you are not submitting an insurance claim, to Vermont 211. You can report online by visiting www.vermont211.org. Use the “Resident Form” or “Business Form” at the very top of the page to report damage. You can also report damage over the phone by dialing 2-1-1.
- Even if you have minimal damage, please report it to 211. To be eligible for federally funded Individual Assistance, we must meet a threshold of damages, so it is critical that we capture as much information as possible.
- Need help cleaning up? Vermonters can call the state’s Crisis Cleanup Hotline to request volunteer assistance and help cleaning up debris, mucking out basements, or other recovery work. Call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 802-242-2054.
- Taking care of debris: When cleaning up, separate debris and leave it on the edge of the right-of-way for town disposal. Set aside hazardous materials for later disposal. Visit the Agency of Natural Resources’ Flood page for more guidance on flood cleanup.
- For Farms: View additional guidance for farmers at the Agency of Agriculture’s Flood page
- Stay Safe: Follow safety guidance for returning home, cleaning up, and general post-flood safety tips. Resources below.
What should town and municipal leaders do
Continue making repairs to public infrastructure, closely documenting costs, and taking pictures of progress. Should the federal government approve a disaster declaration, you will be reimbursed for response and recovery.
For additional information visit Vermont Emergency Management’s 2024 Flood Recovery page.
Road Closure Information
- The best source of current information about road closures on state highways and interstates is the New England 511 website. The Agency of Transportation updates this website in real time.
- For information about local road closures, use the Waze app.
Safety guidance after a flood
How to help
- To volunteer for flood cleanup, visit www.vermont.gov/volunteer.
- Donate to support flood victims through the Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont Flood Response and Recovery Fund.
- Companies and organizations looking to make bulk good donations can call 888-653-7715 or email donations@vermont.gov.
- Many communities have local volunteer efforts, so check your city or town websites and local social media groups to find additional opportunities.
Quick Links
Translated Flood Resources - vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation
Vermont Emergency Management – vem.vermont.gov/flood
Vermont Department of Health - healthvermont.gov/flood
Agency of Natural Resources - anr.vermont.gov/flood
Agency of Commerce and Community Development - accd.vermont.gov/flood
Vermont Department of Labor - labor.vermont.gov/flood-safety-resources
Agency of Agriculture - agriculture.vermont.gov/flood
Department of Mental Health - mentalhealth.vermont.gov/flood
Volunteer for Storm Recovery - vermont.gov/volunteer
Vermont Flood Resources, Assistance and Referrals