VERMONT — Residents and municipalities in Addison County and six other Vermont counties are eligible for federal funding to help recover from floods that swept through the Green Mountain State between July 9 and July 11 after President Biden on Tuesday signed a federal disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration does not apply to damage caused by other storms this summer.

“The impact of this storm on communities and individuals has been significant, and while these federal resources won’t alleviate all of those burdens, this financial support is critical to our state’s recovery,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a press release. “I appreciate President Biden and FEMA’s support, and we’re ready to help Vermonters and municipalities throughout recovery.”

This major disaster declaration provides funding for individuals in Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Essex counties to apply to FEMA for assistance. The Individual Assistance (IA) program helps people affected by the disaster seek some reimbursement for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance. Eligible expenses include rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, lodging, and other expenses.

To apply for Individual Assistance funds, impacted Vermonters in the eligible counties should register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Even if you have previously reported damage to 2-1-1, you must register with and apply to FEMA.

The declaration also includes funding to help cities and towns in those same counties repair and restore public infrastructure damaged by the floods. The Public Assistance program allows communities to receive 75% reimbursement for emergency storm repairs to public infrastructure.

Take note that this declaration does not include damage to private and public property caused by storms on July 30. A separate FEMA major disaster declaration request will be made for that storm soon. Homeowners and renters should still report damages and losses related to the July 30 storm to 2-1-1.

For farmers, the Gov. Scott has also requested a Secretarial natural disaster designation for multiple counties which will allow the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to agricultural producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Currently, FSA is requesting to run programs to repair and restore agricultural land and to provide payments for losses on crops and livestock holdings.

Individuals and municipalities that suffered damage in all recent storms should continue to clean up and make repairs. Take photos and thoroughly document expenses.

The State will continue to provide updates to help eligible individuals apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, including the availability of Disaster Recovery Centers for in-person support.

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This summer has seen historic levels of rainfall affect businesses, homeowners, and people living in many areas of Vermont. The United Way of Addison County has created an “Addison County Responds: Flood Relief” fund and is providing grants of up to $1,500 to individuals in the county seeking financial assistance as a result of home and/or property damage from this summer’s storms.

This fund is made possible in part thanks to a contribution from the Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.

Click here to learn more or to apply for funding.