MESSAGE FROM HOUSE SPEAKER SHAP SMITH & SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CAMPBELL August 31, 2011
Reporting Damages
Vermonters who have property affected by the storm should report it to the state. There are several phone lines in addition to the 211 number now in operation. Please note that it is critical to acquiring recovery aid that a statewide inventory of the damage is taken. Also, if repairs are made by a property owner, it is important to take pictures of the damage, document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance.
Individuals: Individuals reporting property damage should call 211.
Businesses: Businesses should call the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at (ACCD) at 828-3211 to report damage which will be collated for VEM and FEMA. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance. The information needed when businesses make the call is: name of business, location (complete address), description of damage, point of contact, date damage occurred. There are additional questions for historic properties.
Farms: To report damages to property including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:
Your county USDA Farm Service Agency (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=vt&agency=fsa) OR;
Your county Natural Resources Conservation Services office (http://www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/index.html).
Organizations such as the Vermont Farm Bureau (802-434-5646) or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122) can also be called. These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture which will forward it to VEM.
Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803).
Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses
This program, administered by VEDA, is up and running. It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website (http://www.veda.org/) for more information.
Storm Recovery Resources
Vermont Emergency Management Website: This site includes the latest updates and helpful information: http://vem.vermont.gov.
Vermont Emergency Management Facebook Page:
The most up to date information for VEM can be found on their Facebook page. If you “like” VEM on Facebook you will be given automatic updates on your Facebook homepage as their status changes. Includes great links to press releases and other information. Find it at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-Emergency-Management/142566220102
Returning to Your Home: For information on cleaning up your home after flooding, visit: http://vem.vermont.gov/home/return.
Fuel Tanks: If you find a fuel tank on your property or floating in flood waters, please contact the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association at 802-223-7750 or info@vermontfuel.com.
Vermont Travel Information Services: For the latest information on road closures, call 511 or visit: http://www.511vt.com/.
Ride Share: This site is designed for commuters to find car pools, but can be a valuable asset for individuals whose cars are damaged or destroyed: http://www.connectingcommuters.org/.