Flood Update: FEMA deadline, CReW office hours, new Mitigation Committee
November 15, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout The deadline for to apply for federal flood-recovery assistance to help with the impacts from this summer’s floods is Nov. 25 and the local long-term recovery group CReW has multiple updates and reminders to share with the community.
Liz Schlegel is vice chair of CReW, which is short for Community Resilience for the greater Waterbury area. Volunteers with the organization continue to assist local property owners with flood recovery plans.
Schlegel noted that flood recovery involves two key parts: a financial plan and a rebuilding plan. “Depending on the kind of damage someone experienced in this summer’s flooding, different funding sources may be available, and CReW will help you apply for them,” she said.
Those working in flood recovery continue to emphasize that the main and best source for financial assistance is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Grants from FEMA are made directly to the applicant and can be used to help pay to replace damaged possessions and appliances, to pay for foundation, heating system, well, septic, driveway or private road repairs, and more; FEMA grants can be used to cover rental housing if you can’t be in your home, as well as mitigation projects such as moving an electrical box from a cellar to an upper floor in a home.
Apply to FEMA by Nov. 25
The deadline to register and apply for FEMA assistance is Nov. 25. “We have heard no information about any extensions, so assume that this is a firm deadline. If you haven’t applied yet, please do!” Schlegel said.
Having contacted the state of Vermont via the 211 system does not register someone with FEMA, she noted. Properly registering is key to both receiving FEMA aid as well as other programs that may rely on FEMA data. FEMA funds are made as grants, not loans, and they do not have to be paid back.
For those with FEMA claims related to flood damage to a driveway, private road or other outdoor property issue, applying in person at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center may be easier than uisng the agency’s online or telephone systems, Schlegel said.
Vermont still has Disaster Recovery Centers open in Newport, Lyndonville and Hinesburg with hours listed on this website.
Office hours with CReW
CReW volunteers are currently working from an office space at Revitalizing Waterbury located at 46 South Main Street (same building as Waterbury Sports). They have scheduled office hours every Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a FEMA Individual Assistance representative is also available on Wednesdays.
Schlegel said the in-person assistance has helped local residents with applications. Anyone wishing to talk with the FEMA staffer should contact CReW in advance to schedule a meeting time by emailing outreach@thecrewvt.org.
Also, anyone with any flood-related questions may contact CReW with an email to info@thecrewvt.org or leave a message at 802-585-1152.
For homeowners
Button Up: Weatherization do-it-youselfers might want to check out the Waterbury LEAP Button Up Vermont Workshop on Friday, Nov. 15, in the Steele Room at the Waterbury municipal building.
A video recording of the Oct. 22 Storm Smart workshop that CReW hosted with Friends of the Winooski is available on the CReW website along with videos from other educational events the group has held.
NEW: Mitigation Committee launches
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., CReW plans a Zoom-only meeting to launch a new Mitigation Committee.
The group is looking to attract a variety of members for this new effort to focus on flood mitigation on both the individual home level and community-wide level.
The goal is for this new committee to include members from each of the towns CReW serves – Waterbury, Duxbury, Moretown, Bolton and Middlesex.
“At this virtual meeting, we want to learn about mitigation projects, ongoing conversations, and hurdles in each of our communities to help guide the committee forward,” Schlegel said. “Building climate resilience by banding together is more important now than ever.”
Anyone looking to get involved with ideas and skills to share is encouraged to attend including:
Environmental professionals in our communities who are already doing mitigation work or who have ideas for moving forward.
Anyone interested in flood mitigation who has advocacy, community education, or information-gathering skills.
Community members who would like to share project ideas and conversations happening in your community.
Residents from every town in CReW’s area.