Vermont Emergency Management is providing guidance on resources that are available to homeowners and residents impacted by the disaster that occurred October 21 - November 1, 2019. The actions outlined below are meant to assist disaster survivors with meeting exigent and compounding unmet needs that results from this event.
~ The State of Vermont requested a Major Disaster Declaration to provide assistance to towns and residents after the disaster that Occurred on October 31 - November 1st, 2019. The Federal government approved the request for public infrastructure damage funding (Public Assistance) but has denied the request for funding for individual property owner damage (Individual Assistance)
~ More than 380 families and individuals have reported a wide range of property damage to Vermont 2-1-1. The data from these damage reports informed the federal request and continues to be utilized to connect reporters with existing unmet needs as a result of the storm with resources to help them recover.
~ The Agency of Human Services has partnered with the Vermont Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters (VT WOAD) to establish a case management system to reach out to all damage reporters and assess continuing needs, Those assessment calls began February 7, 2020.
~ Those who reported damage should receive a call from a case manager by February 22, 2020.
~ If unmet needs continue to exist, case managers will work to find other possible resources, which may include local volunteer resources, U.S. Department of Agricultural Development grant and loan programs, or the Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund (VDRF).
~ the Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund (VDRF) is a non-profit organization that can be a last resort of funding for families and individuals impacted by disasters. The Vermont Disaster Recovery Fund accepts donations at www.vdrf.org.
~ More information is available at the VEM website at www.vem.vermont.gov.
The above information is from the office of Vermont Emergency Management.
See the full memo