BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont has officially made a move for federal disaster relief funding.
Over the weekend the state submitted a request for a preliminary damage assessment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. The goal is to determine if the state qualified for a federal major disaster declaration for last week’s flooding.
The request asks for both public and individual assistance to help both public infrastructure and individual homeowners.
Addison, Orleans, Washington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, and Essex counties will be assessed. FEMA officials were in Lamoille and Caledonia counties just last week to assess damage from flooding in June.
Over the weekend changes were also made to Governor Phil Scott’s emergency declaration to temporarily change regulations to help the recovery effort.
That includes professional service licensing, timely access to rock fill, asphalt, and concrete, as well as timely removal of flood debris.
It also lifts some regulations around commercial vehicles needed to transport needed goods in the state for emergency relief efforts.
Governor Scott said these changes are critical for the state’s timely recovery and he will consider more regulation relief as damage assessments and recovery continues.