Vermont Makes $38M Available for Early Local Disaster Aid

Vermont is repeating something that proved popular with towns after Tropical Storm Irene of 2011: getting state disaster relief out early to flood-damaged communities while they await federal aid.

Gov. Peter Shumlin and Treasurer Beth Pearce joined other officials on Wednesday to announce that up to $38 million could be made available from the state in towns declared eligible for disaster aid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The money comes from education aid and other state programs that help communities, and is to be repaid when towns get the FEMA aid they’re due.

The announcement follows widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure in Vermont communities following the heavy rains of May, June and early July.

Pearce credits the state’s strong financial position with allowing the program to happen.