July 2023 Vermont Flash Flood Disaster Guide

Flash floods in Vermont triggered by torrential rainfall hit the state causing President Joe Biden to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun its efforts to coordinate disaster relief efforts in Vermont as communities across the state are experiencing historic flooding. Vermont Governor Phil Scott stated that the flooding is wreaking havoc as more rain is expected later this week. HAC offers the following resources with information for organizations and communities dealing with loss and damage resulting from the flash floods in the Northeast: Rural Resilience in the Face of Disaster site and Disaster Response for Rural Communities Guide.

If you are in need of emergency, transient housing, you can text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find where the shelter closest to you is located. Additional resources are available as flooding continues:

Road closure information, visit newengland511.org or @511VT on Twitter.
Power outage information, visit vtoutages.org.
Flood-prone areas near you, visit Vermont Flood Ready Atlas.
National Weather Service forecasts, visit Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: Burlington (weather.gov)

Apply for FEMA Assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline answers questions about the help offered by FEMA, how to apply for assistance, or the information in your account.

Toll-free helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For hearing impaired callers only:
1-800-462-7585 (TTY)
1-800-621-3362 (Video Relay Service)
Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

For more information on federal aid programs visit FEMA’s website. Aid may include rental payments, home repair, unemployment payments, loans, and other assistance.

American Red Cross Disaster Service: For referrals and updates on Red Cross shelter services in your area, locate a local Red Cross office through: https://www.redcross.org/find-help or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross helps disaster victims by providing safe shelter, hot meals, essential relief supplies, emotional support and health services like first aid. Trained Red Cross workers often meet one-on-one with families to develop individual plans and identify available resources to help aid recovery.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FIELD OFFICES

Vermont
Burlington Field Office
95 Saint Paul Street,
Suite 440
Burlington, VT 05401-4486

Phone: (802) 951-6290

State Director: Sean Thomas

https://www.hud.gov/states/vermont

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT FIELD OFFICE

Vermont Rural Development State Office

87 State St., Ste. 324, PO Box 249, Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: (802) 828-6080

Director: Sarah Waring
https://www.rd.usda.gov/vt

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Headquarters

Eric Forand
Interim Director
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
Phone: (800) 347-0488