It’s been a difficult summer for many Vermonters. I have been listening to my constituents and advocating nonstop for the people of the Addison District in the wake of the flooding – connecting people to flood recovery resources and speaking regularly with state, local, and federal officials to try to get our community the help it needs.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look likely that Addison County will qualify for individual assistance for residential damage from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Constituents in Rochester, Huntington, or Buels Gore who have experienced flooding, FEMA assistance may be available to you, as Windsor and Chittenden County have qualified for individual assistance. Addison County has qualified for public assistance from FEMA for the July flooding, which will help municipalities and certain non-profit organizations repair flood damage. I am advocating strongly for more assistance in Addison County to cover the full window of flooding, particularly the early August storm. In the meantime, below is some information about some new resources available to assist people.
Rebates for Replacing Flood-Damaged Products
- Rebates for Lost Appliances: If your home flooded and you lost a furnace, hot water heater, washer/dryer, or other appliances, you may qualify for a grant from Efficiency Vermont. Qualifying low- and moderate-income Vermont homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $10,000 per household. These flood recovery rebates can apply to multiple products. In addition, up to $9,500 back on weatherization projects is available. Damage must have occurred between or July 10 – August 10 for residents of Addison County (July 10 – July 31, 2023 for other counties). I specifically advocated for a longer window for Addison County to be sure it covered the early August flooding!
- Vehicle Replacement Incentives: If your car was flooded and must be replaced, there are several programs that offer financial incentives to replace your car with an electric, hybrid, or high-efficiency vehicle.
Flood Relief Grants for Addison County Residents Only
- Grants for Addison County residents who experienced flood damage: This is a low-barrier, flexible fund providing small grants up to $1,500, available through a partnership between the United Way of Addison County (UWAC) and the Vermont Community Foundation. Recipients must be residents of Addison County whose property in Addison County was damaged by flooding during July or August. I advocated for the creation of this fund and am working closely with UWAC as funds are granted.
- Fondo de Assistancia para Inundaciones: Para ayudar a los residentes del condado cuyas viviendas y/o propiedades quedaron dañados debido a las fuertes lluvias de este verano y necesitan asistencia financiera.
Resources for Farmers
- Vermont Community Foundation Farm Disaster Relief Fund: Grants available to farms directly impacted by storms and flooding in July and August for losses not otherwise covered by insurance, grants, or other income. I specifically advocated to ensure this program covers flooding in late July and August, so that Addison County farmers would qualify.
- Agency of Agriculture Flood Resources: excellent website listing a variety of flood recover resources for farmers.
- Recursos de recuperación para las comunidades agrícolas, granjas y familias de Vermont
- Farm Feed-Finder Marketplace: hay and livestock feed are in short supply due to the constant rain, wet fields, and inability of farmers to harvest their fields. You can’t make hay if the sun don’t shine! I also advocated for this online tool so farmers could locate the feed their animals need.
Low-Interest Loans for Small Businesses, Farm Co-ops, and Non-profit Organizations
- Small Business Administration Loans: Because the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has included Addison County in a disaster declaration due to excessive rain and flash flooding occurring on July 1st and continuing, small businesses, and certain agriculture operations and non-profit organizations in our area do qualify for these federal loans. Apply online here.
Additional flood recovery resources are listed in my August flood recovery update on my website. If you are not getting the help you need, please reach out to me and I can try to help you get the assistance you need to recover from this extremely wet summer. However, please be patient because I have no staff or office and am doing all of this work on my own.
Despite all the rain, there were some good times this summer. In August, I had the honor of representing Vermont at the National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Summit in Indianapolis. You can watch this interview of me at the Summit with Indiana Public Broadcasting discussing why I was at the Summit, recent legislative work, and priorities for next session.
It was great to connect with legislators from around the country and learn from their work as well as share our successes in Vermont. Thanks for reading, and please reach out if you have questions or need help. Take care and be well.
Ruth for Vermont 