Agency of Natural Resources: Resources for Flood Recovery and Resilience

As our communities continue the hard work of digging out, assessing the damage, and rebuilding after the most recent flooding, the Agency of Natural Resources encourages communities, homeowners, and businesses to leverage available resources and information to help them recover.

For Homeowners and Businesses

Cleaning Up After the Flood:

• Flood Trash Guidance: safety precautions and how to separate out hazardous materials.
• Hazardous Spills: call 802-828-1138 to report a spill or to ask for help pumping out contaminated water from your basement.
• River Recovery Work: learn how towns can implement Emergency Protective Measures for river work.  

Reporting the Damage:

• Contact 211 by phone or visit 211 online.
• Contact your insurance company.

Beginning Repairs:

• Document the damage by taking photos and making a list.
• Keep receipts for labor and materials.
• Talk with your town Zoning Administrator to ask for guidance on repairs that may need permitting and for help determining FEMA base flood elevations.

Making Your Home or Business More Flood Resilient:

• Find National Flood Insurance Program information for flood-damaged communities.
• Elevate or relocate utilities (such as furnaces, heating systems, or electrical systems) that you replace or repair.
• Use flood-resistant materials that will not be damaged by future weather events.
• If your home heating fuel tank was flood-impacted, follow Aboveground Storage Tank guidelines.

For National Flood Insurance Program Communities

• Assess flood-damaged buildings for Substantial Damage.
• Track post-flood repairs for buildings in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas.
• Permit post-flood repairs according to local zoning rules or Flood Hazard Area Regulations.
• Learn more about post-flooding resources for NFIP Communities.
• Learn more about how DEC can help communities be flood ready.

The Environmental Assistance Office is here to answer your questions. Contact the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at 802-477-2241 or by email at anr.decassistance@vermont.gov.

By prioritizing safety and responsible environmental practices, together we can become more resilient and ensure the well-being of all Vermonters.

Report Damages to Vermont 211 – https://vermont211.org/
Volunteer for Storm Recovery – vermont.gov/volunteer
Donate to Flood Response – https://bgs.vermont.gov/flood-response-donations
Visit a State Flood Recovery Center – https://vem.vermont.gov/flood/recovery-center

State of Vermont – https://www.vermont.gov/flood
Vermont Department of Health – healthvermont.gov/flood
Agency of Natural Resources – anr.vermont.gov/flood
Agency of Agriculture – agriculture.vermont.gov/flood
Department of Mental Health – mentalhealth.vermont.gov/flood
Department of Labor – labor.vermont.gov/flood-safety-resources

Applications encouraged for more than $1 Billion for Digital Equity Program

Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is encouraging organizations in Vermont to apply for the Digital Equity Competitive Program to fund programs that ensure communities have the access to devices and the skills needed to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances. Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity released this week, a variety of organizations can apply to Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on a competitive basis for funding.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will hold a press conference in Montpelier tomorrow, Thursday August 1, to explain its universal access to the Internet program.

Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of states, such as city and county governments, certain nonprofits, community anchor institutions, local educational agencies, and workforce development organizations. Partnerships among these entities are allowed, and NTIA encourages proposals that demonstrate a broad partnership of entities with the ability to administer significant resources and address wide-ranging populations.  

Applications are due by September 23, 2024. The NTIA expects to begin making awards by the end of 2024. NTIA plans to issue awards made under the Competitive Grant Program on a rolling basis.

Additional funding opportunities will be available in the future. You can learn more about this opportunity, including how to apply, at Notice of Funding Opportunity Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program | National Telecommunications and Information Administration (ntia.gov).

Read full press release.