Gov. Scott requests USDA disaster designation for July 2024 flooding

Governor Phil Scott has requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issue a disaster designation for the State of Vermont in response to severe July flooding. A Secretarial Disaster Designation would open the availability of financial assistance, including low-interest USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans for eligible producers in the approved counties.

“On July 10, 2024 – one year after the State of Vermont experienced historical flooding in July 2023 – Vermont suffered devastating impacts from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. The storm’s torrential rains caused innumerable streams and rivers to flood towns, destroy roads and bridges, inundate farms and ruin crops,” wrote Governor Scott. “Many Vermont farms had not fully recovered from last year’s destructive storms before they were again under water in the middle of Vermont’s short growing season.”

“Just when last year’s floods seemed to be in the rear-view mirror, many of our farms are once again facing another long road to recovery. We are now focused on how we can help these farms survive,” said Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “It will take federal, state, local and private resources to help our farmers get through this. We are committed to working with our public and private partners during this crisis.” 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is encouraging all those who sustained losses to report their damages to 211 and to their local Farm Services Agency office with USDA. 

Dam safety activities post-storm

Montpelier, Vt. – After major flooding in central and northern Vermont, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Dam Safety Program is sharing how the State is keeping Vermonters safe from the effects of potential storm damage to dams.

Vermont’s three Winooski River Valley flood control reservoirs are functioning as designed. They are effectively protecting downstream communities from what would have been more severe flooding effects. These reservoirs have plenty of remaining storage capacity and water levels are starting to become stable or recede. Engineers are actively monitoring all three dams: East Barre, Waterbury, and Wrightsville.

As of July 12, 2024, the Dam Safety Program has reviewed rainfall maps and river flow data. The Program has contacted owners of specific high hazard dams they prioritized for rapid inspections. The goal of inspections is to identify any areas of risk to owners or downstream residents and to recommend stabilization measures.

Further, the Program has sent general communications to owners throughout the affected areas. Owners of dams are encouraged to report any observed changes in the condition of their dam resulting from the storm, including photo(s) as practical, to ANR.DamSafety@Vermont.gov.

The Dam Safety Program is communicating with the owners of other major power dams in the state and has not received reason for concern at this time. The Program assessed the spillway at the dam at Harvey’s Lake in Barnet, Vermont where early reports indicated potential dam failure. Engineers have assessed the extent of damage, which is limited and threatens neither the level of the lake nor downstream roads or property.

For more information on flood recovery resources from the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Department, or the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, visit https://ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood.