December Ice Storm Causes More Than $3M Damage in Vermont

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has formally requested federal aid for damage to public infrastructure in an ice storm last month.

Shumlin says the December ice storm caused more than $3 million worth of damage in seven northern Vermont counties: Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Orleans.

State officials say that amount is based on a preliminary assessment and is likely to rise.

If the disaster declaration is granted, communities and public utilities will be reimbursed for 75 percent of the cost of eligible work. Eligible expenses include equipment rentals – and fuel for that equipment – the cost of contractor assistance, employee overtime tied directly to storm response and restoration, and other expenses.