Flood Update: Ongoing FEMA help; rebates for flood-recovery purchases
November 26 2024 | By Waterbury RoundaboutThis post was UPDATED on Nov. 26 after the FEMA application deadline and again on Dec. 1 with CReW flood-recovery assistance details for the month of December.
Although the deadline to register with FEMA for assistance related to July’s storms passed on Monday, help is still available for Vermonters with claims and questions.
In a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 26, FEMA said that to date it has approved $9.1 million for those impacted by the July 9-11 flooding, which affected Waterbury and nearby communities. Of that, nearly $5.4 million was with housing assistance; another $3.2 million for other needs, and over $500,000 in Small Business Administration low-interest loans.
In addition, another $1.2 million has been approved for additional flooding that happened later in July in the Northeast Kingdom, FEMA said.
For those who have already submitted applications that are under review, FEMA recommends applicants stay in touch to share any important updates such as a change of address. To submit an update or ask questions, call FEMA’s helpline at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week. Anyone in Vermont affected by both July storms was required to submit separate applications for each event.
Vermonters who missed applying by the Nov. 25 deadline may still register but will need to submit a justification explaining why the application is late, according to FEMA. Reasons may be a hospitalization, illness, or disability of the applicant or an immediate family member; death of a family member; personal or business travel (documented) that kept the applicant out of the area for the full application period. More information is online related to FEMA assistance for the July 9-11 disaster.
Also, anyone with an active FEMA claim related to flood recovery costs in either 2023 or 2024 may file an appeal. Volunteers with CReW are available to assist with checking on FEMA claims, filing appeals and navigating the process to apply for local aid to help with costs uncovered by insurance and FEMA reimbursements. CReW also can help with construction and contractors.
Contact CReW for assistance with an email to outreach@thecrewvt.org or a message at 802-585-1152. Volunteers with CReW also have office hours through December on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 46 S. Main Street (second floor above Waterbury Sports).
From CReW’s Thanksgiving message to local residents:
“Now that the FEMA registration deadline has passed, appeals are the priority! And of course scheduling construction visits and helping you figure out your rebuilding plans. We can help out whether you have damage from 2023 or 2024, whether you applied for FEMA or not, and if you are looking to work on mitigation projects.
We are here for the long haul, to help our community recover and rebuild, to strengthen our reliance and connection as we tackle whatever Mother Nature sends our way. Being together in this work with you is an honor, and we are awed by the strength and spirit we see every day.”
More online at thecrewvt.org. CReW – Community Resilience for the Waterbury Area – is the long-term flood-recovery organization to assist those affected by flooding in Waterbury, Duxbury, Bolton, Moretown and Middlesex.
November 22, 2024 FEMA closing last two Vermont centers
On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will close the last two of its Disaster Recovery Centers in Vermont.
The sites – one each in Hinesburg and Lyndonville – will cease operations at the close of Saturday business at 6 p.m. Locations and hours are listed here.
Monday, Nov. 25, is the deadline for Vermonters to file claims for assistance from FEMA for flood-related damages from this past July.
See more about the deadline, how to file, and where to get assistance with making a claim in the Nov. 15 Flood Update on the Waterbury Roundabout.
Efficiency Vermont assists with flood-recovery home and business purchases
Vermonters working on repairs to homes and businesses impacted by flooding both this past summer and in 2023 can still take advantage of a slew of rebates and incentive programs offered by Efficiency Vermont.
The organization has a variety of flood-recovery rebates to apply to projects such as the replacement of heating systems, weatherization projects, and appliance purchases for both households and businesses.
The Vermont Emergency Board and Gov. Phil Scott authorized the Vermont Public Service Department to extend the rebates first launched in response to the catastrophic 2023 summer flooding.
The change now allows income-eligible homeowners and renters impacted by both 2023 and 2024 flooding to access up to $29,500 per household in rebates to replace critical heating/water heating systems and appliances, upgrade or replace a home electric panel, and incorporate weatherization into rebuilding efforts. Flood-impacted businesses can receive up to $16,000 in cash back on eligible heating systems and commercial kitchen equipment such as freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers and more.
Efficiency Vermont’s Managing Director Peter Walke, said he’s grateful that state officials have adjusted the requirements to apply to those affected both this year and last. “These rebates will help Vermonters rebuild homes that are healthy, safe, and more efficient. We’re eager to get these offers out to anyone impacted by these floods to help make their recovery more affordable, Walke said.
Offers for households
Efficiency Vermont’s programs are available to low- and moderate-income households damaged by flooding. Rebates are available for eligible products purchased on or after July 10, 2023. Qualifying ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boilers, furnaces, and water heaters are also supported by these rebates. Purchases must be on Efficiency Vermont’s Qualifying Products List.
Households that received flood incentives for damages due to 2023 flooding and were damaged again by 2024 floods are eligible for these rebates. Those households can receive an incentive with a combined total of $10,000 for appliances, heating, and water heating systems.
Efficiency Vermont’s offerings for households impacted by 2023 and 2024 flooding include:
Free Virtual Home Energy Visits to assess recovery options: An Efficiency Vermont energy expert can do a 90-minute video assessment of a home to provide guidance on specific needs.
Up to $10,000 to replace home heating systems and appliances: This offer covers new or replacement heat pump heating systems (ducted or ductless) or central wood or pellet boilers/furnaces and stoves, plus ENERGY STAR-certified replacement appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers, and more.
Up to 100% cash back for buying and installing a heat pump water heater: This applies to projects up to $5,000. Low-income households can receive 100% of the equipment and installation costs of a new heat pump water heater; moderate-income households can get 90% cash back. Projects over $5,000 require additional review.
Up to $9,500 for home weatherization: Adding or replacing flood-damaged air sealing and insulation during rebuilding improves a home’s comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Weatherization projects can also take advantage of up to $15,000 through Efficiency Vermont’s Home Repair program to address underlying issues in a home that need to be fixed before weatherization can happen. Low-income households can also get free weatherization through the state’s Weatherization Assistance Programs.
Up to $10,000 for home electric system updates: Replace or upgrade electric panels to 200 amps to restore electricity or add capacity for heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and more. This offer also will cover moving an electrical panel to a flood-safe location.
0% interest on a Home Energy Loan up to $30,000: No-interest loans for up to 5 years are available for all customers recovering from flood damage, including health and safety repairs. Longer terms are also available with low interest rates.
Rebates for businesses
Rebates available for businesses impacted by flooding on or after July 10, 2023, include:
Up to $10,000 per unit for rental properties: Based on rent levels, low- and moderate-income rental units are eligible for rebates for water-heating, appliances, ductless heat pumps, and central heating systems damaged by flooding. Property owners can also get up to $4,500 for heat pump water heaters.
Up to $16,000 for equipment: Flood-impacted businesses can now recoup 100% of their costs on eligible heating systems or commercial kitchen equipment, up to $4,000 per unit. Each business qualifies for up to four pieces of equipment, for a maximum award of $16,000. ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boilers and furnaces qualify for 100% of the rebate if they are on the qualifying products list. Larger fossil-fuel boilers must be evaluated by Efficiency Vermont to determine eligibility.
Up to $9,000 for weatherization projects: Air sealing and insulation products used to improve a building’s envelope or mechanical ventilation can get 100% of the product costs back, up to $4,000. Combined with Efficiency Vermont’s Building Performance program, businesses can get up to $9,000 back on eligible weatherization projects.
Rebates for businesses are in addition to existing point-of-purchase offers which can provide hundreds of dollars in additional rebates. Businesses are encouraged to contact Efficiency Vermont’s Customer Service team to check for rebates on additional products that they need for their projects.
Efficiency Vermont is the state’s energy efficiency utility working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It works with partners to steer Vermont to more affordable, low-carbon energy use through education, incentives and support for a clean-energy workforce. More information online at efficiencyvermont.com.