Biden declares major disaster in Vermont after July flooding
- Severe flooding in northeastern Vermont occurred from July 29 to 31, damaging homes and infrastructure.
- The disaster declaration allows for federal funding to assist recovery efforts in affected counties.
- This declaration is part of a troubling pattern of repeated disasters in the region, highlighting the need for ongoing support.
In late July, northeastern Vermont experienced severe flooding due to a storm that occurred from July 29 to 31. This disaster has prompted President Joe Biden to approve a major disaster declaration, which will facilitate federal funding aimed at aiding recovery efforts in the affected areas, specifically Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. Governor Phil Scott highlighted that this marks the third disaster declaration in just over a month and the seventh in the past 14 months, indicating a troubling trend of repeated natural disasters in the region. The initial assessments revealed that 85 homes were either destroyed or damaged, and public infrastructure suffered over $3.7 million in damages. The declaration allows individuals to seek reimbursement for essential expenses that insurance may not cover, including rental assistance and home repairs. Communities will also be able to request federal reimbursement for their storm response and recovery efforts, which is crucial for rebuilding and restoring normalcy in the affected areas.