President Declares Major Disaster For Vermont

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of Vermont to supplement the state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding during the period of May 26-27, 2011.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Caledonia and Washington counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Caledonia County. 

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Craig A. Gilbert has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Gilbert said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.