2024 Flood Information
Post-Disaster FEMA & SBA Claim Extensions (posted 10/21/24)
We have just been informed that the Small Business Administration has extended its deadline for 2024 flood claims and requests for help until September 25th. This matches a similar extension announced to make or amend 2024 FEMA claims - to the same date.
PLEASE TELL OTHERS... anyone else who still needs help from the flood... as they may not see this.
SBA offers more than just loans to damaged businesses. They also provide very competitive home replacement loans for low income households (which can absorb the unpaid mortgage on your damaged house) and other household assistance. Check at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance or visit one of the remaining Disaster Recovery Centers ie. in Hinesburg, Lyndon or Lyndonville. (Addresses here - https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator )
FEMA claims can be updated until November 25th as well . Did you have driveway or entry bridge damage? There's a claim for that. Did you just learn that your water-soaked furnace doesn't work? There's a claim for that. (And also... see below... Efficiency VT programs to help with the cost.)
I also remind homeowners who lost furnaces, water heaters, boiler systems and other applicances and MUST REPLACE them before winter... Efficiency Vermont, as of Oct. 1, is offering substantial rebates when you purchase a qualifying furnace, heat pump, wood stove, hot water heater or boiler system. Check EfficiencyVermont.com to learn more.
Michael Cerulli Billingsley • Emergency Management Director
PLEASE TELL OTHERS... anyone else who still needs help from the flood... as they may not see this.
SBA offers more than just loans to damaged businesses. They also provide very competitive home replacement loans for low income households (which can absorb the unpaid mortgage on your damaged house) and other household assistance. Check at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance or visit one of the remaining Disaster Recovery Centers ie. in Hinesburg, Lyndon or Lyndonville. (Addresses here - https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator )
FEMA claims can be updated until November 25th as well . Did you have driveway or entry bridge damage? There's a claim for that. Did you just learn that your water-soaked furnace doesn't work? There's a claim for that. (And also... see below... Efficiency VT programs to help with the cost.)
I also remind homeowners who lost furnaces, water heaters, boiler systems and other applicances and MUST REPLACE them before winter... Efficiency Vermont, as of Oct. 1, is offering substantial rebates when you purchase a qualifying furnace, heat pump, wood stove, hot water heater or boiler system. Check EfficiencyVermont.com to learn more.
Michael Cerulli Billingsley • Emergency Management Director
Plainfield Flood Response Coordination
Plainfield Flood Response Information
Plainfield Flood Response Information
For those affected, donations, and volunteers
Call 802-227-2660
All those affected by the flood:
Call 211 to report damages
AND
Call Crisis Clean Up at 802-242-2054
These reports NEED to be made for Plainfield to seek State and Federal assistance
For those affected, donations, and volunteers
Call 802-227-2660
All those affected by the flood:
Call 211 to report damages
AND
Call Crisis Clean Up at 802-242-2054
These reports NEED to be made for Plainfield to seek State and Federal assistance
Emergency Contact Info
Help is available, and increasingly so. Keep track of your damage by taking occasional "before" photos... when you can. I know it's hard. Local volunteer teams are assembling - get their help by leaving a message at 802-227-2660
Vermont needs a federal disaster declaration - try to call 211 and describe what has happened to you. And register at Vermont state's Crisis Cleanup 802-242-2054 so your building is on the list for evaluation and cleanup.
Call 911 if anyone is in crisis, hurt or endangered. Be careful around unstable buildings and stop to rest, drink water and don't get overheated.
If anyone needs sheltering or an alternative residence, call Plainfield Emergency Management at 802-380-6408 and we'll work on it. If you call and I can't pick up - please leave a message so I will know who to respond to.
Lastly... If you are overwhelmed or in despair, crisis counselors are on hand. Call them at (802)229-0591 and someone... I'm told... will get back in a few minutes. Also - from any phone - Dial 988.
Vermont needs a federal disaster declaration - try to call 211 and describe what has happened to you. And register at Vermont state's Crisis Cleanup 802-242-2054 so your building is on the list for evaluation and cleanup.
Call 911 if anyone is in crisis, hurt or endangered. Be careful around unstable buildings and stop to rest, drink water and don't get overheated.
If anyone needs sheltering or an alternative residence, call Plainfield Emergency Management at 802-380-6408 and we'll work on it. If you call and I can't pick up - please leave a message so I will know who to respond to.
Lastly... If you are overwhelmed or in despair, crisis counselors are on hand. Call them at (802)229-0591 and someone... I'm told... will get back in a few minutes. Also - from any phone - Dial 988.
Mental Health Support:
You've all been through a lot, and almost no one here was spared. It has been extremely hard and sometimes overwhelming.
If anyone in Plainfield wants mental health support, please text me about the new walk-in service here... to meet and talk with a professional helper.
And the WCMHS 802-229-0591 crisis help line is being answered 24/7 (sometimes a 10-minute delay). Be sure to ask for screeners if you want in-person help, or for tele-health if you're o.k. with that. Call "988" also for other mental health resources.
We are getting in-person help at a location in Plainfield starting today, for a few hours a day and perhaps most days of the week. Let me know if you need directions.
Michael Billingsley, my cell (text) number is (802) 380-6408.
If anyone in Plainfield wants mental health support, please text me about the new walk-in service here... to meet and talk with a professional helper.
And the WCMHS 802-229-0591 crisis help line is being answered 24/7 (sometimes a 10-minute delay). Be sure to ask for screeners if you want in-person help, or for tele-health if you're o.k. with that. Call "988" also for other mental health resources.
We are getting in-person help at a location in Plainfield starting today, for a few hours a day and perhaps most days of the week. Let me know if you need directions.
Michael Billingsley, my cell (text) number is (802) 380-6408.
Washington County Is Now A Federally Declared Disaster, DR-4810
The flooding that occurred from July 9 to 11, 2024, has become a federally declared disaster as DR-4810. Washington County qualified for individual assistance. Individuals who suffered damages will need to contact FEMA to register for assistance. They can either do this online or over the phone.
Individuals need to register with FEMA for Disaster Survivor Assistance either at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling FEMA 1-800-621-3362
More information can be found at Vermont Emergency Management FEMA Individual Assistance Information | Vermont Emergency Management
Please share this with anyone who suffered damages.
The FEMA declaration also includes funding for a public assistance program, which can provide up to 75% reimbursement to cities and towns for emergency repairs made to public infrastructure. The Scott administration plans to announce a schedule of briefings for town applicants soon, according to a recent press release.
State officials have requested that Orange County be added to the declaration, according to the press release. Orange County was examined alongside the other seven counties when FEMA officials visited Vermont last month.
Individuals need to register with FEMA for Disaster Survivor Assistance either at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling FEMA 1-800-621-3362
More information can be found at Vermont Emergency Management FEMA Individual Assistance Information | Vermont Emergency Management
Please share this with anyone who suffered damages.
The FEMA declaration also includes funding for a public assistance program, which can provide up to 75% reimbursement to cities and towns for emergency repairs made to public infrastructure. The Scott administration plans to announce a schedule of briefings for town applicants soon, according to a recent press release.
State officials have requested that Orange County be added to the declaration, according to the press release. Orange County was examined alongside the other seven counties when FEMA officials visited Vermont last month.
Zoning Permit Application for Repairs and Improvements after Flood
Permits are needed for Repairs and Improvements after Flooding in Special Flood Hazard Area.
Please contact Plainfield Zoning Administrator at [email protected] for more information.
Temporary emergency repairs and clean up do not require a permit. Anything permanent needs to meet standard to avoid future flood damage.
Help for homeowners and businesses can be found at www.floodready.vt.gov/help-after-flooding
Be sure to contact to Register damages and get help at vermont211.org/resident-form
After flooding we can expect a FEMA Community Assistance Visit. The Town wants to keep flood insurance as available as possible
Please contact Plainfield Zoning Administrator at [email protected] for more information.
Temporary emergency repairs and clean up do not require a permit. Anything permanent needs to meet standard to avoid future flood damage.
Help for homeowners and businesses can be found at www.floodready.vt.gov/help-after-flooding
Be sure to contact to Register damages and get help at vermont211.org/resident-form
After flooding we can expect a FEMA Community Assistance Visit. The Town wants to keep flood insurance as available as possible
Please Report All Flood Damage to Vermont 211
Please, please, PLEASE! Report all flood damage, no matter how trivial seeming, to Vermont 211. You can phone 211 or go to vermont211.org and select the flooding form. It only takes minutes to fill out the form as best you can. Phones are answered 24/7
Why do this? It's a numbers game. There is a threshold to reach before FEMA Federal dollars become available and they are sorely needed. Even if you are taking care of the damage yourself, reporting it lets the impact of this storm be known to the "powers that be." It can help your less fortunate neighbors get aid.
Need help reporting? The Cutler Library will be open extra hours, 11-5 Sunday and Monday, so you can use the computers and WIFI. (You can even just come sit in the clean calm and air-conditioned space.)
Why do this? It's a numbers game. There is a threshold to reach before FEMA Federal dollars become available and they are sorely needed. Even if you are taking care of the damage yourself, reporting it lets the impact of this storm be known to the "powers that be." It can help your less fortunate neighbors get aid.
Need help reporting? The Cutler Library will be open extra hours, 11-5 Sunday and Monday, so you can use the computers and WIFI. (You can even just come sit in the clean calm and air-conditioned space.)
Financial Assistance for Businesses Impacted by Flooding & Storms
The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal is now open to businesses, nonprofits, landlords, and farms that suffered physical damage from flooding and severe storms in 2023 and/or 2024.
$7 million is available to provide rapid relief to businesses, farms, and nonprofits that sustained physical damage from the 2024 flooding events. An additional $5 million will be available for ongoing recovery from the 2023 floods. Businesses may be eligible for both 2023 BEGAP funding as well as 2024 BEGAP funding. Separate applications must be submitted for each year's funding, for each physical location.
A minimum of 40% of 2024 BEGAP funds are reserved for applications from agricultural businesses if they apply by November 15th.
Before opening an application, you are encouraged to visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page to learn how the program works and what you need to have on hand before you begin the online application process. Eligibility and grant calculations differ depending on several factors.
If you need assistance submitting your application, reach out to Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation and complete their BEGAP support form.
Learn more about applications for agricultural operations on the BEGAP for Agriculture Operations webpage. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets at 802-828-2430 and press 0.
More Info
$7 million is available to provide rapid relief to businesses, farms, and nonprofits that sustained physical damage from the 2024 flooding events. An additional $5 million will be available for ongoing recovery from the 2023 floods. Businesses may be eligible for both 2023 BEGAP funding as well as 2024 BEGAP funding. Separate applications must be submitted for each year's funding, for each physical location.
A minimum of 40% of 2024 BEGAP funds are reserved for applications from agricultural businesses if they apply by November 15th.
Before opening an application, you are encouraged to visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page to learn how the program works and what you need to have on hand before you begin the online application process. Eligibility and grant calculations differ depending on several factors.
If you need assistance submitting your application, reach out to Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation and complete their BEGAP support form.
Learn more about applications for agricultural operations on the BEGAP for Agriculture Operations webpage. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets at 802-828-2430 and press 0.
More Info
Sep 24, 2024 Plainfield, Vermont Select Board Flood Recovery Informational Special Meeting
Photos of road damage and repair
Photos of repairs: https://plainfieldvt.wpcomstaging.com/2024/07/13/repairs-road-update-sat-jul-13/
Also link to SOME of the damaged roads: https://plainfieldvt.wpcomstaging.com/2024/07/13/july-24-flood/
Also link to SOME of the damaged roads: https://plainfieldvt.wpcomstaging.com/2024/07/13/july-24-flood/
Before/After Aerial Flood Pictures
This pdf file contains aerial photos of the Great Brook from the village to Maxfield Road. There are side-by-side photos before the flood and after the flood.
There is a link in the file that leads to additional photos including 3D images: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/062a3b5e56c94cb49b1076f3187a1cbe/
Many thanks to George Springston for these amazing photos!
There is a link in the file that leads to additional photos including 3D images: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/062a3b5e56c94cb49b1076f3187a1cbe/
Many thanks to George Springston for these amazing photos!
