Gov. Scott seeks disaster designation for Jan. storm; 4th request in a year

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Gov. Phil Scott Thursday made a formal request to President Biden to help communities and utilities from damage caused by damaging storms in January, the fourth such request in less than a year.

Federal authorities identified more than $2.3 million in Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, and Orleans Counties, nearly double the minimum program-eligible costs of $1.2 million.

The request comes just days after the feds approved a federal disaster declaration for severe rainfall and flooding in December that caused nearly $2 million in damage in Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties.

Other storms granted disaster declarations included flooding in August and disastrous floods from July.

“There’s no doubt Vermonters have faced a lot this year due to heavy rain starting last summer, and we’ve appreciated the federal government’s much-needed support in our recovery efforts,” Governor Scott said in a statement. “We’ll continue working with our local, state and federal partners to respond to, and recover from these events, and make our communities more resilient in the future.”

If granted, the declaration unlocks FEMA funding to reimburse municipalities and public utilities for 75% of eligible costs.

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