PLAINFIELD DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE 2024

 
Plainfield Emergency Management and the Select Board have seen a great outpouring of volunteers, many willing to step into flood recovery positions so households and the Town of Plainfield can put ourselves somewhat back together again.

We have had dozens of displaced persons who lost their homes altogether, multiple others who have lost full or partial use of their buildings, and of course the town's own staggering loss of roads and bridges. "Recovery" is the next journey together... over the coming year... to climb back up toward restoration of what we all lost.

Here is your new team:

Individual Assistance Coordination

Liz Bicknell and Grace Worcester. Liz and Grace are learning the rules for FEMA reimbursements to individuals and households, and will be on hand to assist with applications, sort out obstacles and help make sure your requests for help are acted upon. FEMA
representatives will soon be coming to Plainfield so you can make your household claims. Contact: [email protected]

Household Damage Assessment and Repair

Dan Fingas and Mo Lynch. First of all, be sure that you are documenting (with photos) and listing everything that is damaged, including things moldy from getting wet. Sum that up in a Vermont 211 report - which is still helpful to track who needs what. And register with Plainfield Flood Response... dehumidifiers, anti-mold stuff, shovels, etc. can still be arranged by appointment, and volunteer help is still around. Contact: Plainfield Flood Response.

Disaster Waste Management 

Peter Young. As the weeks and maybe months unfold, piles of construction debris, piled up broken branches, soaked electronics and appliances, damaged furnaces and dishwashers are still piled up... waiting for disposal. There is always more flood debris to dispose of, so contact: [email protected]

Home and Property Buyout Programs

Arion Thiboumery and Michael Billingsley. If your property was substantially damaged and, in the FEMA, High Hazard Flood Zone, we are guiding people to pre-applications for potential buyout. Although the process is time consuming, the benefit could be great. An additional buy-out program for properties beyond the FEMA flood plain is also opening up, and the town is likely to participate. Contact: [email protected]

Fundraising and Donations Coordination 

Karen Hatcher. Several local non-profit and faith-based organizations have teamed up with Capstone to create a fund to help people who are displaced and are still in need of help to locate and pay for housing - and the people who lost clothing, furniture, tools, bedding, kitchen supplies and other personal items. Contact: [email protected]

Public Assistance Coordination

Gary Smith. Plainfield's roads, bridges, stream beds and municipal infrastructure were torn apart during the July 2024 floods. Reconstruction and planning are going to take months, if not years. We encourage
you to attend public meetings and to learn what our tough choices are for the coming year. Become informed, and weigh in.
Contact: [email protected]

Plainfield Grants Administration

Karen Hatcher and Michael Zahner. As each repair, improvement or hazard mitigation project is designed (hopefully with volunteer and town committee assistance), Plainfield will be applying for grants and technical assistance money. Karen and Michael have also taken over the Route 2 Intersection project, the Brook Road lower village bridge, and the Old Home Days community spirit projects from Alice Merrill... who recently retired after long years of skillful service. Contact: plainfieldvtgrantadm@gmail.com and [email protected]

Emergency Management and Transitional Housing/Shelter Coordination

Michael Billingsley.   Almost three dozen households were displaced by the 2024 floods. At one point more than two dozen people were in our temporary shelter. We continue to support affected persons through this painful process. Contact: [email protected]