FEMA has approved a Public Assistance Declaration for Grand Isle County, ensuring that federal assistance for road, bridge and other public infrastructure repairs will be available for every county in the state.   “This is great news,” Gov. Shumlin said. “There has been extensive damage to roads, public buildings, bridges and other infrastructure all over the state, and Grand Isle County had high power restoration costs.

Several days earlier, FEMA approved an Individual Assistance Declaration for Franklin, Lamoille and Orleans Counties, enabling homeowners and business owners to apply for federal financial assistance for everything from rebuilding costs to temporary housing expenses.  

Serve Vermont and the United Way have created an online database to coordinate flood volunteer efforts. The database enables volunteer coordinators to post volunteer needs for events. Registered volunteers can then sign up to participate in the posted events. The database also enables the volunteer coordinator to manage expectations by listing the number of volunteers necessary for the event.  

Read more and access the volunteer database.

About 90 vacant federally assisted apartments will be available to Vermonters displaced by Tropical Storm Irene, thanks to a federal waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department granted at the request of Governor Peter Shumlin and through the Vermont congressional delegation’s advocacy.

Vacant apartments subsidized through the federal low-income housing tax credit program usually require residents to meet certain income eligibility requirements, disqualifying some Irene victims. Governor Shumlin requested a temporary waiver of the income requirements due to the housing demand created by the storm. Treasury Secretary Geithner granted the waiver on Friday.

As Vermonters repair or rebuild their homes, Efficiency Vermont can provide advice on replacing damaged insulation and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebates on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators.

For more information call  1-888-921-5990 (toll-free) or www.efficiencyvermont.com/irene.