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ACCD Severe Storm Resource Center

As a result of July 2024 flooding, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development has established this page to serve as a resource center. This page will be consistently updated with the latest information ACCD has available.

Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program

The BEGAP application portal is now open for properties damaged by 2024 flooding. The deadline for 2023 flooding damage has passed.

Before businesses and nonprofits apply, they are encouraged to visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page to learn how the program works and what they need to have on hand to successfully submit an application.

BEGAP Application Help

All applicants seeking assistance in preparing to submit this grant application, including translations, can receive help from the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation (CVEDC). CVEDC is the statewide technical assistance provider for BEGAP. Fill out their support request form and they will follow up with resources to help.

Federal Disaster Declarations

President Biden approved Governor Scott’s request for a FEMA major disaster declaration for storms that took place June 23, 2024 in Lamoille County and July 9 - 11, 2024 in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex Counties.

President Biden also approved a major disaster declaration for damage in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties caused by storms on July 29 - 31, 2024.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack approved Governor Scott's request for a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Washington Counties making farm operators eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loans.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA has Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont. They are open seven days a week from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster assistance programs, find out the status of your FEMA application, and get answers to other questions regarding federal assistance.

Barre Auditorium
20 Auditorium Hill
Barre

Brighton Town Hall Gym
49 Mill Street
Island Pond

Hinesburg Town Hall
10632 Route 116
Hinesburg

Lyndon Public Safety Facility
316 Main Street
Lyndonville

Waterbury Armory
294 Armory Drive
Waterbury

FEMA Help for Individuals

This FEMA major disaster declaration for storms allows individuals in the following counties to apply for Individual Assistance:

  • Addison
  • Caledonia
  • Chittenden
  • Essex
  • Lamoille
  • Orleans
  • Washington

The Individual Assistance (IA) program helps people 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. 

You can apply for IA by registering here or calling 1-800-621-3362. You still need to apply for IA with FEMA even if you have already reported your damage to 211.

FEMA Help for Municipalities

The FEMA disaster declaration also allows cities and towns in the following counties to apply for Public Assistance to receive 75% reimbursement for emergency storm repairs to public infrastructure damaged by flooding on July 9, 10, and 11:

  • Addison
  • Caledonia
  • Chittenden
  • Essex 
  • Lamoille
  • Orleans
  • Washington

Vermont has requested Orange County be added to the declaration. A decision on that request will be made shortly.

Town applicant briefings will be scheduled and announced soon. 

SBA Loans for Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration is making available two loan programs to damaged businesses. Please note: the deadline differs depending on when the business was flooded.

Physical Damage Loans for Businesses Damaged July 9-11, 2024:

  • Addison
  • Caledonia
  • Chittenden
  • Essex
  • Lamoille
  • Orleans
  • Washington

Deadline to apply is October 21, 2024.

Physical Damage Loans for Businesses Damaged July 29-31, 2024:

  • Caledonia
  • Essex
  • Orleans

Deadline to apply is November 25, 2024.

Economic Injury Loans for Businesses Impacted by Flooding July 9-11, 2024:

  • Addison
  • Caledonia
  • Chittenden
  • Essex
  • Franklin
  • Grand Isle
  • Lamoille
  • Orange
  • Orleans
  • Rutland
  • Washington
  • Windsor
  • New Hampshire: Coos and Grafton Counties
  • New York: Clinton, Essex, and Washington Counties

Deadline to apply is May 20, 2025.

Economic Injury Loans for Businesses Impacted by Flooding July 29-31, 2024:

  • Caledonia
  • Essex
  • Franklin
  • Lamoille
  • Orange
  • Orleans
  • Washington
  • New Hampshire: Coos and Grafton Counties

Deadline to apply is June 26, 2025.

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.

Help for Private Non-Profits

Federal help for Private Non-Profits (PNP) is determined by the type of services a non-profit provides. The federal government considers whether those services are Critical or Non-critical and of a governmental nature. Definitions of those categories are below, as are the counties where help is available.

Critical

Critical PNPs provide services of a governmental nature that include: 

  • Fire and emergency services
  • Electric power 
  • Water supply and some irrigation
  • Telephone communications 
  • Sewer and wastewater treatment
  • Direct medical care

PNPs which provide critical services of a governmental nature may apply directly to FEMA for uninsured disaster-related expenses and/or disaster-related damages to the facility.

Non-critical

Non-critical PNPs provide services of a governmental nature that include: 

  • Museums 
  • Educational facilities 
  • Zoos 
  • Custodial care facilities 
  • Libraries 
  • Alcohol and drug rehabilitation 
  • Community centers 
  • Battered spouse programs 
  • Homeless shelters 
  • Low-income housing 
  • Shelter workshops 
  • Food programs for the needy 
  • Senior citizen centers 
  • Daycare centers for special needs

PNPs which provide non-critical services of a governmental nature must first apply for disaster assistance from SBA, and exhaust SBA loan assistance, or be declined by SBA before seeking grant assistance for permanent repairs and/or replacements from FEMA.

That SBA help is for Physical Damage Loans and/or Economic Injury Loans for storm damage in the following counties that occurred on July 9-11:

  • Addison
  • Caledonia
  • Chittenden 
  • Essex
  • Lamoille
  • Orange
  • Orleans
  • Washington

The deadline to apply for a Physical Damage loan is October 21, 2024. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury loan is May 20, 2025.

That SBA help is for Physical Damage Loans and/or Economic Injury Loans for storm damage in the following counties that occurred on July 29-31:

  • Caledonia
  • Essex
  • Orleans

The deadline to apply for a Physical Damage loan is November 25, 2024. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury loan is June 26, 2025.

Potential applicants can reach out the SBA with questions at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or
1-800-659-2955. 

Document and Remove 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.
  • Open windows and doors.
  • Get all wet stuff outside.
  • Use fans and dehumidifiers, if safe.
  • Set aside hazardous materials for later disposal.
  • Take pictures, videos, and notes during the clean-up.
  • Save receipts to keep track of your clean-up expenses.
  • Report all damage, even if you are not submitting an insurance claim, to Vermont 211. To do this electronically, use the “Resident Form” or “Business Form”. You can also call 211 to report damage, but online reporting is preferred.

All data reported to Vermont 211 is being used only to get a big picture of the storm's wrath to help the state assess the extent of the damage as it applies for a federal disaster declaration.

Flood Recovery Rebates for Businesses

Efficiency Vermont is offering rebates to businesses whose heating, cooling, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment was damaged by flooding. Eligible businesses can receive 100% of costs up to $4,000 per product for up to four products.

Manufactured Home Help

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) has resources available for flood victims who live in mobile home parks including the Flooding Recovery Assistance Fund.

Vet a Contractor

Looking to check the license status of a contractor to repair your flooded home or business? Use the Secretary of State’s “Profession Roster Download” function on this website.

Arts and Culture Damage Survey

The Vermont Arts & Culture Disaster and Resilience Network is conducting a survey of artists and cultural heritage organizations to learn more about flood damage and recovery needs. Please take a moment to participate.

Flooding and Trees

The Vt. Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation recommends consulting this website to learn more about managing flood damage to trees.

Crisis Cleanup Hotline

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.

Volunteer to Help

Vermonters who would like to volunteer can register at www.vermont.gov/volunteer. Registrants will be notified of volunteer needs in their community.

Make a Donation

Donations can make a world of difference in the wake of a natural disaster. Please consider donating to the following:

Unemployment Benefits

Is your place of employment closed because of the flood? Are you unable to work because of flooding? FEMA has approved Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington Counties for Individual Assistance which includes Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Visit the Vermont Department of Labor website to learn more.

Vehicle Incentive Programs

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is offering a package of enhanced incentives for income-eligible Vermonters whose personal vehicles were damaged by flooding:

  • The Replace Your Ride Program, which provides up to $5,000 for swapping a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle for cleaner transportation options, will increase program eligibility to include flood-damaged vehicles, regardless of their age and whether they are currently drivable. Vehicles will still have to meet other program guidelines.
  • The Incentive Program for New Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), which currently provides up to $5,000 for a new purchased or leased PEV, will provide an additional $1,000 incentive (up to $6,000 total) to eligible Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.
  • The MileageSmart Program, the state’s high-efficiency used vehicle program that provides up to 25% of a vehicle’s price, will automatically provide a full $5,000 incentive to Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.
  • Program participants may use these programs to bundle different state incentives, for as much as to $11,000 off the price of a new PEV and a maximum of $10,000 off the price of a used PEV, as well as with other local utility rebates and federal tax credits.

Mental Health Help

Flooding is extremely traumatizing. Some people are experiencing losses for the second or third time in a year. There are several websites and hotlines available if you need to talk to someone:

  • You can access Starting Over Strong Vermont online and by calling 211.
  • FacingSuicideVT offers data and resources for those struggling with their mental health and those who know someone in that situation.
  • Dial 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which will connect you to someone locally.
  • 800-985-5990 is the national Disaster Distress Hotline.

Sign up for the Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter

The Agency will be providing updates on the recovery efforts via the Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter. Please sign up here to receive these updates.

Sign Up For Emergency Alerts (VT-ALERT)

VT-ALERT is used by the state and local responders to notify the public of emergency situations. Register for VT-ALERT to receive vital emergency information such as evacuation information; chemical spills; shelter-in-place alerts; severe weather advisories; boil water advisories, and roadway interruptions.