FEMA visiting Vermont to assess Halloween storm damage, possibility for disaster declaration

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is visiting Vermont beginning Tuesday to assess damage caused by flooding and wind during the Halloween storm. 

Vermont Emergency Management Director Erica Bornemann requested a preliminary damage assessment to determine whether the state qualifies for a federal major disaster declaration, the agency said. Vermont officials have initially identified more than $3 million in damages to public infrastructure around the state.

FEMA has to confirm the damage before Gov. Phil Scott can request a disaster declaration, Vermont Emergency Management said.

A disaster declaration allows communities to receive 75% reimbursement from the federal government for recovery costs associated with the storm. Vermont must show at least $1 million in response and public infrastructure recovery costs to qualify for a declaration. Individual counties must also show public infrastructure damages and recovery costs of $3.78 per person, the agency said.   

"Eligible reimbursement costs include repair work on public roads and buildings, tree and debris removal from public rights of way, municipal employee time spent working on recovery, contractor help, equipment rentals, and other costs associated with the storm," Vermont Emergency Management wrote in a news release Monday.

Groups from the state and FEMA will visit communities in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties beginning Tuesday, according to Vermont Emergency Management.

Thousands of Vermonters have power restored over weekend

Green Mountain Power, Vermont's largest electricity utility, said that the storm left at least 105,000 of its customers in the dark. The utility worked throughout the weekend to restore power, bringing in line workers from out of state. 

Vermont Electric Co-op also worked with out-of-state line workers, saying it had restored power to more than 17,000 customers since Halloween evening. 

As of Tuesday at 8:10 a.m., only about 150 reported outages remained throughout the state.

To report home damage, call 2-1-1 

On Saturday, Gov. Phil Scott visited areas in Vermont that were hit hard by the storm, including Johnson, Eden, Montgomery, Berkshire, Richford, Enosburgh, Bakersfield, Cambridge and Stowe. He traveled with Vermont Emergency Management and the state's Transportation Agency to see response and recovery efforts.

Many of the areas Scott visited had either severe road damage or were still flooded, according to photos he shared on Twitter. 

Vermont Emergency Management is encouraging members of the public to report flood or wind home damage from the storm to Vermont 2-1-1. This will allow the state to track damage and determine if there is enough damage statewide to seek aid for homeowners.

The Vermont Emergency Operations Center in Waterbury remains open to coordinate recovery and damage assessments.

This article was updated with the latest information about the storm on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.