The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is coordinating the State response, and supporting municipalities as they respond to immediate needs and look toward recovery.
The state of Vermont has requested a damage assessment from FEMA to determine if Vermont qualifies for a Public Assistance Disaster Declaration. Assessments will be done in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, and Essex counties.
The state has also requested a damage assessment from FEMA to determine if Vermont qualifies for an Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration. Assessments will be done in Washington and Caledonia counties.
What to do if your home or business was damaged
Connect for immediate needs and services:
For emergency shelters, food or other support services, call 211 by dialing 2-1-1.
For mental health support, call 988 by dialing 9-8-8.
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.
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.
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.
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.