Flood Disaster Related Information
Sept. 19, 2011
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MYTH VS. FACT ABOUT REGISTERING FOR FEMA AID
BURLINGTON, Vt. — Some Vermonters who were affected by Tropical Storm Irene may have not registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance because of misconceptions or lack of accurate information. Here are some examples.
MYTH: I thought my income was too high for me to qualify.
FACT: There is no income cutoff for FEMA aid. Anyone with disaster damage or loss in the declared counties may be eligible for help. FEMA grants may cover under insured or uninsured losses.
MYTH:My insurance agent told me I wouldn’t be able to get help from FEMA because I have flood insurance.
FACT:Everyone with flood insurance should register. FEMA may be able to help with uninsured costs.
MYTH:I don’t want FEMA assistance because it will affect my Social Security benefits, taxes, food stamps or Medicaid.
FACT:FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs and it is not reportable as taxable income.
MYTH: I’ve already cleaned up and made the repairs. Isn’t it too late?
FACT:You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean up and repair expenses.
MYTH:I thought FEMA only gave loans. I don’t want a loan.
FACT:FEMA only provides grants that do not have to be repaid. FEMA’s individual assistance program covers expenses for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of damaged personal property and other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or transportation costs not covered by insurance or other programs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Some applicants may receive an SBA loan application after registering with FEMA. No one is obligated to take out a loan. But if they don’t complete the application, they may not be considered for other federal grants.
MYTH:I’m a renter. I thought FEMA aid was only for homeowners to repair their homes.
FACT: FEMA may provide grants to help renters who lost personal property or were displaced.
MYTH: I heard there’s too much red tape and paperwork to register.
FACT: There is no paperwork to register with FEMA. You can do it with one phone call that takes a short while,by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.You can also register online at or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. The website helps reduce the number of forms to be filled out and shortens the time it takes to apply.
MYTH:I already received disaster assistance last year. I thought I couldn’t get it again this year.
FACT: If you had damage from another federally declared disaster you may register for new assistance.
MYTH: Isn’t FEMA broke? Other people need the help more than I do.
FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with immediate needs. You will not be taking from others if you register for aid yourself.
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After the Flood Food Safety Advisory
BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health is advising gardeners to throw away any fruits and vegetables – including root crops – that have been in contact with floodwater. According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, all flood-affected crops – fruits and vegetables, above and below ground – should not be consumed, sold or given away.
Apples, pears or other high-growing fruit that were not touched by floodwater should be washed with a known safe source of water before eating.
“Any fresh produce that has been in contact with floodwaters cannot be considered safe to eat,” said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. “This is a change from our earlier advisory. Because the flooding was so extensive and so forceful, there is potential for contamination that cannot be washed or disinfected away.”
Flood food safety guidance:
- Throw away ANY food that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Throw away any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with floodwater. Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps. Also discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with floodwater because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
- For canned goods that came into contact with floodwater, remove labels, wash thoroughly with soap and hot water. Then place in a weak bleach solution made with 1 tbsp. unscented liquid chlorine bleach for every gallon of water from a known safe source and leave for 15 minutes. Re-label with marker.
- If refrigerator and freezer doors are kept closed as much as possible during a power outage, a refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours, a half-full freezer will keep the temperature for about 24 hours.
- Do not cook and eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs or other refrigerated foods that have been above 40 degrees F for two hours or more.
- Wash hands thoroughly with clean water and soap before and after handling food items.
- Never taste food to determine if it is safe. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if it has been at room temperature for more than two hours it can make you sick. Bacteria multiply very quickly at room temperature.
- If you have any doubt about any food item, throw it out.
For more information about food safety after the flood –
Go to the Health Department’s website at call 800-439-8550 (toll-free) or 863-7220 – or dial 2-1-1.
Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook for up-to-date news, alerts and health information.
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Deadline to Request 3SquaresVT Replacement Benefits Post-Irene Extended to Friday, September 23
Due to the power outages, flooding, and devastation in Vermont caused by Tropical Storm Irene, the Department for Children and Families(DCF) is able to provide REPLACEMENT BENEFITS to current 3SquaresVT participants who lost food due to the storm.
Participants MUST report the loss of food immediately by calling DCF at 1-800-479-6151or going to their local district office and reporting it in person– the absolute deadline to do so is Friday, September 23rd.Please print and share this updated outreach flyer with your clients and communities.
Participants must report:
- Name and social security number of the head of household.
- Town and county of residence.
- The specific way that food was lost, i.e. power outage of more than four hours, refrigerator/freezer failure, flooding, fire, etc.
- The dollar value of food loss: There has been confusion about this and people have assumed that the full month’s allotment is what will be replaced. Only the actual value of food lost up to the amount the household was entitled to receive during the month of August can be replaced. Replacement benefits cannot exceed the household’s total August allotment.
Please note that only those households who experienced a loss and report that loss will receive replacement benefits. Vermont is not able to provide a mass replacement for all participants in disaster counties.
Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans counties are now included in the 12 FEMA-designated disaster counties in addition to Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties. Participants in these counties simply report their loss verbally over the phone or in person; no paperwork is required. Participants living in the non-disaster-declared counties of Essex and Grand Isle may also report their loss over the phone or in person but they must also sign a one-page form and return it to DCF within 10 days of reporting their loss.
Please share this email widely via your networks and feel free to contact Hunger Free Vermont with any questions. More information about 3SquaresVT post-Irene is available on .
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FEMA HELPS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS DISASTER ASSISTANCE
BURLINGTON, Vt – To help entire communities recover from Tropical Storm Irene’s flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Vermont Emergency Management are working to make sure people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs have equal access to disaster assistance programs.
“We are committed to making the process of recovery available equally to all residents of Vermont,” said Craig Gilbert, Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA. “Our goal is to ensure everyone, including people with disabilities, have accurate and accessible information about federal and state recovery programs.”
In order to achieve this goal, FEMA coordinates efforts with state and local agencies, as well as volunteer organizations, to identify needs and locate appropriate resources. FEMA has a Disability Integration Specialist on site in Vermont to coordinate the various elements of the programs.
FEMA provides physical access to facilities and reasonable program modifications as needed. For example, brochures are translated into large print or Braille, access ramps provide entry into Disaster Recovery Centers and assistance is offered to complete forms. Also, sign language interpreters, amplified phones and other assistive technology are available by request.
FEMA’s TTY line (800-462-7585) and 711 or Video Relay Service (800-621-3362) can be used to answer questions or register people who are deaf, have a speech disability or hearing loss. Residents can also register with FEMA by applying online at or call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Those looking for the nearest disaster recovery center can check online at call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or for 711/Video Relay Service, 800-621-3362.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s CustomerServiceCenter at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to . Applications can also be downloaded from or completed on-line at .
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From VDH –
All Health Department District Offices around the state have the following resources for people doing flood clean-up:
-nitrile gloves (thin gloves used by medical staff,. simular to latex gloves)
-N95 masks (useful to help avoid breathing in dust)
- information about how to be safe when doing flood clean-up.
Inthe most effected areas of the state, health department staff have delivered those supplies to town offices so that residents and volunteers are protected. So, if you are traveling outside of ChittendenCounty to help in other towns, those supplies will likely be made availabletown health officer, town clerk, or someone designated as the volunteer coordinator.
However, if you are helping a specific individual rather than in a project the town has set up, it may not be obvious where to get the gloves,masks, or information sheets. So, if you have plans to travel and volunteer, feel free to get those items from me and take them with you. I'll be around much of the day today and most of next week, and can schedule a time to meet up with you that works around our schedules.
Also, if you know others in your office, your neighborhood, or community group who might benefit from taking some masks or gloves with them, please let them know that I am here asa resource.
Source Contact: Susanna Weller, MPH, Public Health Specialist - Emergency Preparedness
BurlingtonDistrict OfficeVermont Department of Health
phone: (802) 951-0058 email:
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Hello towns and individuals impacted by the recent flooding (May and August),
Re: Offer by Lenny’s re: Carhartt clothing….
Lenny’s has received a donation of 18,000 pieces of clothing (men & women only) from Carhartt for the VT Flood Victims.
All we to know is what towns needs help, and by household how many men and women are in need of clothing.
We don’t need to know their names just female or male and how many.
We will send voucher and set up time to have our truck go down to that area.
If you can give us lists of names, people who you know are in contact with those without from the flood, that would be great.
Call us at Lenny’s and ask for Mark 476-7446 or email him at
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Housing Matters
/- Efficiency assistance for Vermonters repairing homes
- Homesharing options for people displaced by storm
- FEMA and SBA officials urge homeowners affected by Irene to register for assistance
Efficiency assistance for Vermonters repairing homes
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 11:56 AM PDT
As Vermonters repair or rebuild their homes, Efficiency Vermont can provide advice on replacing damaged insulation and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebates on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators.
For more information call 1-888-921-5990 (toll-free) or .
Homesharing options for people displaced by storm
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 11:50 AM PDT
Home Share Now is facilitating short-term and long-term home sharing matches for people displaced by Irene. If the flood has left you homeless, or you have room in your home to share during this time of crisis, contact 802-479-8544 for more information about home sharing.
Learn more about home sharing at HomeShareNow.org.
FEMA and SBA officials urge homeowners affected by Irene to register for assistance
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 10:02 AM PDT
Jane Lindholm discussed options for Vermont homeowners with damage from Tropical Storm Irene today on VPR’s Vermont Edition. Guests from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) urged affected residents to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), visiting FEMA’s website at .
Hear or read more about VPR’s story.
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FEMA ASSISTS VERMONTERS WITH $10.1 MILLION IN HOUSING NEEDS
BURLINGTON, Vt.—“Getting back home” is the most heartfelt desire of hundreds of Vermonters displaced by flooding.
To help them achieve that goal is one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s most important missions in Vermont.
Most of the homeowners who were displaced will need to live somewhere else until their flood-damaged home is repaired and they can move back in. Those whose homes cannot be repaired or whose rental housing is gone must find new housing.
“We want to help everyone in counties with a federal disaster declaration get into housing that is safe, sanitary and functional,” said Craig Gilbert, the federal coordinating officer who leads FEMA’s mission in Vermont.
FEMA has approved more than $10.1 million in grants to Vermonters to help them repair or replace their flood-damaged housing. These grants may also cover rent on temporary housing for a limited time until the family can move back into their repaired home, find another home or find a long-term rental.
The first step for anyone who needs temporary housing is to register with FEMA.
To register with FEMA, call 800-621-FEMA (3362), go online to or a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
After registration, a FEMA housing specialist will contact all those who may need temporary housing, generally homeowners with more than $10,000 in damage and renters whose units are no longer habitable. If needed, FEMA will provide the family with referrals to available rentals in their area.
FEMA and the state continue to collect information on available rentals to share with applicants who need rental referrals. The state and FEMA have established toll-free and fax numbers to receive calls from anyone who has rental housing available or wishes to offer housing at no cost for Vermonters displaced by the flood. The phone number is 866-330-5286 and the fax number is 540-686-4467.
Vermonters may also call 2-1-1 to learn more about resources that may be available to help with housing. Individuals in counties without a federal individual assistance declaration should also call 2-1-1.
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How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
»More Information on VermontTropical Storm Irene
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- State and local officials are reminding residents affected by Tropical Storm Irene that as they clean up their homes and remove flood-damaged material, they need to be aware of potentially hazardous wastes and dispose of them correctly.