Vermont

Vermont to seek disaster declaration for NEK floods

Published

2 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Vermont to seek disaster declaration for NEK floods

This ink isn’t quite dry on Vermont’s last disaster declaration request to the federal government, and already, it’s applying for another one.

Gov. Phil Scott’s office submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday to assess the damage from the flooding that took place on July 30 and July 31 in the Northeast Kingdom.

That’s the first step in applying for a federal disaster declaration, which, if granted, would unlock federal aid to local and state governments — and potentially individuals, too.

The overnight storm earlier this week dropped record rainfall on the region, destroyed homes, stranded residents and washed out roads. State officials say they’ve already tallied over $6 million in damage to public infrastructure.

Including the historic flooding that occurred last July, Vermont has already been granted five disaster declarations from the federal government in roughly a year. It’s currently awaiting approval for a sixth, from the floods that occurred just weeks ago after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl arrived in Vermont.

“Many of the communities impacted by the July 30-31 storms were still cleaning up from flooding less than a month ago,” Scott said in a press release. “This intense rainstorm devastated homes, businesses, roads, bridges, culverts and other public infrastructure. Vermonters impacted should report damage to 211, so we have the information we need to make our case for additional federal resources.”

The state is asking FEMA to assess whether Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties qualify for public assistance — which would reimburse governments for 75% of eligible expenses recovering from the storm. Vermont’s request also asks the federal agency to review damage to determine if it meets thresholds necessary to unlock cash assistance for homeowners and renters in Essex and Caledonia counties.

Getting a declaration that includes individual assistance is generally more difficult than one just for public assistance. But Doug Farnham, Vermont’s chief recovery officer, said that the compounding effect of these successive storms may help Vermont’s case to the feds.

“All of these events have been painful for people. And FEMA’s process does actually account for the cumulative impact of that pain,” he said. “It can help us get a declaration where otherwise some of the floods may not have gotten one by themselves.”

Flood recovery resources

For state road closure information, visit newengland511.org or follow @511VT on X. (For local road closures, use the Waze app or monitor town communications, such as a website or Facebook page.)
You can sign up for alerts from the state at vtalert.gov.
The latest forecasts and water levels for specific rivers are provided by the National Water Prediction Service.
Find power outage information at vtoutages.org.
To find more resources and services, and to report flood damage, call Vermont 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org.
For a list of state resources and guidance about flooding, visit vermont.gov/flood. The guidance includes returning home after a flood, cleaning up, and dealing with mold.
Find flood recovery information in multiple languages at vem.vermont.gov/flood/translation.
To request cleanup help from volunteers and groups, call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 802-242-2054.
For mental health support, call 9-8-8 or call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
To register through the state to volunteer, visit vermont.gov/volunteer.
If flood waters reached your private well or spring, order a drinking water test kit through the Vermont Department of Health.
Find flood-prone areas near you with the Vermont Flood Ready Atlas.

Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message.

Source link

Vermont

Chinese woman indicted for Vt. turtle smuggling operation

Published

9 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Chinese woman indicted for Vt. turtle smuggling operation

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Federal authorities say a Chinese woman was indicted Thursday in connection with trying to smuggle box turtles across a Vermont lake into Canada.

A Burlington grand jury indicted Wan Yee Ng, 41, of Hong Kong, with a single count of attempting to export merchandise contrary to law.

Court documents say Ng, a Chinese national living in Canada, came to the attention of the United States Border Patrol at the Beecher Falls Station in Canaan after repeatedly renting the same Airbnb on Lake Wallace, an area that has been used for human and drug smuggling. They say they also noticed Ng’s husband was renting a separate property on the Canadian side.

On June 26, agents monitored Ng as she prepared an inflatable kayak and duffle bag. At the same time, Royal Canadian Mounted Police were monitoring her husband on the other side of the lake. The agents ended up seizing 29 live eastern box turtles individually wrapped in socks in the duffle. Eastern box turtles are known to be sold on the Chinese black market for $1,000 each, according to the affidavit.

Ng faces up to 10 years if convicted.

Source link

Vermont

Festival of Fools kicks off Friday afternoon

Published

16 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Festival of Fools kicks off Friday afternoon

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Festival of Fools kicks off in downtown Burlington on Friday.

The annual event runs from Friday until Sunday and includes street performances and music.

The fun begins at 12 p.m., and the first day of festivities culminates in a parade in front of City Hall at 5:30.

See here for a full schedule of events.

Source link

Vermont

Vermont officials share information on primary elections & voter scams

Published

23 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Vermont officials share information on primary elections & voter scams

We are two weeks away from Vermont’s Primary Elections, and on Thursday the Secretary of State shared information with voters while warning about scams and misinformation.

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas and Vermont’s Elections Director Sean Sheehan want to make sure voters are prepared for August 13th. They shared plenty of information, and wish to remind everyone that early voting is open right now.

Sheehan said that “Just over 8,000 have been returned, so over 8,000 people have already voted.”

Thousands of ballots have already been cast, and there are still thousands more to go as we close in on the Vermont Primary Elections.

Polls will open between 5-10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13th, and they’ll close at 7 p.m. statewide.

“Up for election is one of our United States Senate seats, our United States House seat, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State,” said Copeland-Hanzas

One person running for re-election is Sarah Copeland Hanzas herself.

Anyone using absentee ballots to vote might want to fill them out and mail them, or even drop them off in person soon to avoid postal service delays.

Copeland-Hanzas said that “If you’ve already requested an absentee ballot and you have one in your kitchen sitting on the table waiting to be filled out, it might be a good idea to make a plan to drop it back off in person at your clerk’s office while they’re open.”

On top of making sure your vote gets in, Sheehan says that some people have already been dealing with phone and email scams.

“Some have to do with political donation scams. The second one is fake surveys and polls, and a third is voter registration scams,” said Sheehan.

Individuals are notified about voter registration issues from their town clerk, not any other person or persons.

If you want more information on voting, you can visit the Secretary of State website. Election results will be visible on August 13th on this website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.

Source link