Fed disaster $$ sought for July 10 flooding – third straight year

By Guy Page on August 25, 2025 • ( 1 Comment )

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by VDC staff

Governor Phil Scott has submitted a formal request to President Donald J. Trump for a Major Disaster Declaration to help communities in Caledonia and Essex counties recover costs for repairing public infrastructure damage caused by rainfall and severe flooding on July 10, 2025, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The request marks the third consecutive year in which a Vermont governor asked for a federal disaster declaration due to flooding. Most of the damage occurred in the Northeast Kingdom, especially Caledonia County.

A severe rainstorm on July 10 washed out roads and caused more than $1 million in damage in the town of Sutton alone as well as significant damage in surrounding communities. Federal assessors identified more than $1.8 million in statewide damages, exceeding the minimum threshold for a Public Assistance Disaster Declaration.

“The damage from last month’s storm impacted small towns with limited financial resources,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Submitting this request is an important step in the process to bring FEMA funds to Vermont to help towns rebuild and recover.”

A federal Major Disaster Declaration unlocks Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program funding to reimburse eligible municipalities for 75% of costs, like debris removal, road repairs, public building repairs, and staff overtime responding to and cleaning up after the storm.

Federal assessors identified more than $1.8 million in program-eligible costs incurred by public entities, exceeding the minimum of $1.2 million needed for the state to qualify for a declaration. Caledonia County’s damages were more than ten times the qualifying threshold of $4.72 per capita for counties. Essex County also significantly exceeded the minimum.

The declaration request also seeks funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). That funding can be used to provide 75% reimbursement for projects anywhere in the state that reduce the likelihood of damage to public infrastructure in future disasters.

The request was sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will review it and then send a recommendation to President Trump, who will approve or deny the request.