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FEMA Will Give Vermont 90 Percent Funding for Irene Repair Work

Release Date: May 17, 2012
Release Number: 4022-080

» More Information on Vermont Tropical Storm Irene

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — The State of Vermont, municipalities, and some non-profit groups will be getting more federal money to reimburse them for costs incurred during Tropical Storm Irene and the subsequent clean up and repairs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that President Obama has approved Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin’s request for the federal government to reimburse applicants for 90 percent of the eligible costs to repair or restore infrastructure damaged by Irene instead of the standard 75 percent.

“This announcement marks a major milestone in our recovery from Tropical Storm Irene,” Governor Shumlin said. “It will mean significant savings for municipal budgets across the state, and for the state budget as well. We are incredibly grateful to President Obama and the Congressional Delegation, and also to FEMA for this welcome news.”

“We hope that this will help the state and its communities in their ongoing recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer James N. (Nick) Russo, the head of FEMA’s mission in Vermont. “We know that Vermont and its towns and cities are working as hard as they can to repair damage, and we’re working hard to get them their money.”

The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program provides funding to repair roads and bridges, put water systems and electric utilities back in order, rebuild libraries and replace damaged books, repair hospitals and emergency services, rebuild schools and universities, and pay for other infrastructure restoration statewide.

It also reimburses communities and certain private non-profits for expenses associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures like search and rescue operations, and the cost of eliminating public safety or health hazards, like removing animal carcasses or demolishing unsafe buildings.

FEMA’s PA program typically reimburses 75 percent of the eligible cost of these projects, with the state and municipality sharing the remainder.

However, according to FEMA’s regulations up to 90 percent reimbursement is permitted if actual federal aid to a state for a disaster, minus FEMA’s administrative costs, meets or exceeds $127 per person.

With a population of 625,741 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that means if the actual cost of FEMA aid to the state exceeds $79,469,107 the state becomes eligible for 90 percent reimbursement, at the discretion of the president.

So far FEMA has obligated, or paid to the state, approximately $64.7 million in reimbursement for Public Assistance projects related to Tropical Storm Irene, as well as $22 million in Individual Assistance to individuals and families for losses.

The increased reimbursement will be provided to both completed projects and those in process. It will not apply to projects related to the spring 2011 flooding.

To learn more visit: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-May-2012 17:49:03

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FEMA Will Give Vermont 90 Percent Funding for Irene Repair Work

Old Idea Still Works: Storm Shelters Provide Safe Refuge

Release Date: May 2, 2012
Release Number: 4058-041

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Recent storms in southern Indiana have heightened awareness of the value of storm shelters among some residents. Near Holton, one family is planning improvements to the storm shelter they installed 25 years ago. Just west of Corydon, a resident is including a shelter in his new home.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) applaud these efforts and encourage residents to consider taking similar steps to reduce their risks of damage from future storms.

In the 25 years since they built their shelter, Don Wood and his family have sought protection through several windstorms and a few tornadoes. Their shelter, which is accessed through a trap door on a deck, has 8-inch-thick walls made of concrete-filled concrete blocks. Improvements the Woods are making now include extending the concrete roof over a part of the stairway and resurfacing the concrete stairs.

Nearby, Jeremy Shireman is incorporating a storm shelter in the basement of his new home, which is under construction. The shelter will occupy the space under the front porch of his home with the concrete floor of the porch serving as the roof of the shelter.

IDHS and FEMA offer several resources for residents interested in reducing their risks of storm losses. Information on the IDHS website includes tornado safety guidelines. Free hazard mitigation publications are available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include Taking Shelter from the Storm and Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

IDHS and FEMA officials advise residents with storm shelters to notify their local fire departments or other emergency responders about the locations of their storm shelters. That information can be vital in post-disaster recovery efforts, in the event debris covers the access to the shelter.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 14:05:21

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Old Idea Still Works: Storm Shelters Provide Safe Refuge

FEMA Offers Tips On Smart Building At Local Supply Stores

Release Date: April 30, 2012
Release Number: 4058-039

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS – Residents who want to make their homes and businesses more hazard-resistant can get advice from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation specialists at local building supply stores from May 2 through 6 in Columbus and Vincennes.

In addition to answering questions, mitigation specialists will have information about techniques to make structures safer and stronger and ways to avoid damage from storms and other hazards. Ideas range from creating a disaster family plan to building a storm shelter.

Mitigation specialists will be in Lowe’s stores this week from Wednesday through Saturday from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stores are at the below locations:

3500 10th St., Columbus, IN 47201
2700 N. Sixth St., Vincennes, IN 47591

A series of free mitigation publications is available at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 480-2520. These include: Taking Shelter from the Storm and Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses.

Small changes can make a big difference the next time storms strike and can lessen the damage and financial impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. An independent study shows each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $4 by reducing future losses due to disasters.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Apr-2012 11:55:19

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FEMA Offers Tips On Smart Building At Local Supply Stores

Tax Assistance Available To Vermonters Affected By Flooding

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 4022-076

» More Information on Vermont Tropical Storm Irene

» 2012 Region I News Releases

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – With the April 17 deadline for filing individual income tax returns rapidly approaching, Vermonters who were affected by last year’s spring floods or Tropical Storm Irene may have help available.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency urged Vermonters to check with both the Internal Revenue Service and the Vermont Tax Department to learn what benefits may be available.

“Vermonters who suffered losses from a presidentially declared disaster have a variety of options open to them,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “In addition to filing a disaster casualty loss claim, they can receive a waiver of fees and expedited processing if they request documents like prior tax returns that may have been destroyed.”

Casualty losses – property damaged or destroyed and not covered by insurance or other reimbursement – can be deducted from an amended 2010 return or on the 2011 return, both of which are due April 17. Russo reminded those who received Individual Assistance grants from FEMA that these are not considered income for tax purposes.

The deduction applies to loss of property because of sudden, unexpected or unusual events such as severe weather. The unreimbursed loss must be more than 10 per cent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income to be eligible for the deduction, and individuals cannot deduct those personal property losses that have been covered by insurance or other reimbursements, such as FEMA Individual Assistance grants.

The IRS website has tax information about federal tax relief in disaster situations at: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html. To contact the IRS toll-free disaster hotline, call 1-866-562-5227, or visit www.irs.gov

Business owners may also be able to deduct qualified expenses and should consult Publication 2194B: Disaster Losses Kit for Businesses for more information.

Vermont state income taxes are based on the filer’s federal taxable income, so flood-related losses do not need to be documented separately with the State of Vermont.

“We encourage Vermonters affected by Tropical Storm Irene to take advantage of all the assistance available to them,” said Mary Peterson, Tax Commissioner for the State of Vermont. “Vermonters able to reduce their tax liability at the federal level due to Irene may be able to receive tax relief at the state level as well. It is important to understand all of your options.”

For information about Vermont income taxes, contact the Vermont Department of Taxes at 1-(866) 828-2865 (toll-free in VT) or (802) 828-2865 (local & out-of-state) or visit their website, www.state.vt.us/tax

The Vermont Society of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) has been offering free or reduced-fee tax preparation and consultation services to Vermonters affected by Tropical Storm Irene. There are special forms and requirements for casualty losses, but at this late date VTCPA is urging Vermonters who have not yet sought help to file for extensions. Contact Carolyn Stevens, CPA at cstevens@trans-video.netor (802) 485-6448 if email is not available.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to Vermonters making under $42,000 annually. The program is a partnership between the IRS and the Chittenden County CASH Coalition, local United Way agencies and Community Action agencies. To find a location near you, visit www.state.vt.us/tax/individualvolunteers.shtml or dial 2-1-1.

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Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 15:52:38

Tax Assistance Available To Vermonters Affected By Flooding

Vermont In Spotlight At National Hurricane Conference

Release Date: March 26, 2012
Release Number: 4022-075

» More Information on Vermont Tropical Storm Irene

» 2012 Region I News Releases

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – When it comes to hurricanes, many people think Vermont is not in danger. But last August, as Hurricane Irene downgraded to tropical storm status, Vermont suffered a major blow that severely tested the state’s resources.

At the 2012 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando from March 26 – 29, Vermont will be in the spotlight for its response to Tropical Storm Irene and the state’s focus on meeting the needs of residents with disabilities and those with access or functional needs who took refuge in shelters.

Presenters will be Robert Schell, Chief of Field Operations for Vermont Emergency Management and Kate McCarthy-Barnett, Disability Integration Specialist for the Boston office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The American Red Cross will also be featured in the presentation.

To help entire communities recover from Tropical Storm Irene, FEMA and VEM began working together to ensure that people with disabilities and those with access or functional needs were able to fully participate in disaster recovery programs.

Within two days of the storm, the Vermont Interagency Emergency Response Committee was formed and included representatives from FEMA, VEM and the Red Cross along with over 40 disability organizations and agencies. The committee members joined daily conference calls and collaborated on the needs of the community and shared local resources.

Tropical Storm Irene was the first large©scale disaster in Vermont since the development of the Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) guidance. It provided an opportunity to implement FNSS in a real-world response and recovery situation for individuals with disabilities. A Sheltering Team integrated partners and other specialized community leaders in planning to accommodate individuals with access and functional needs in general population shelters.

Pre©event planning and creative modifications allowed for integration in specialized shelters where disabled populations are often isolated. The team worked directly with people with functional and access needs within the shelters, ensuring they had a voice in identifying appropriate services and information formats.

“Vermont made great progress in inclusive planning for people with access and functional needs in shelters set up in affected communities,” said Vermont Emergency Management Director Joe Flynn. “We are honored to bring Vermont’s story to this national workshop.”

To make sure the whole community is engaged, FEMA’s McCarthy-Barnett has been in Vermont since the storm to not only advise FEMA and state leadership on the issues, but also to engage local and state community leadership as partners. She was the keynote speaker and a participant in Vermont’s annual Disabilities Awareness Day activities on March 21.

“The collaborations that took place after Irene between state, federal and the disability community enhanced the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities and those with access and functional needs,” said McCarthy-Barnett. “That has continued into the long-term recovery phase.”

Considerations in reaching the target population include:

Physical needs: Shelters, meetings, disaster recovery centers and other physical locations must be accessible.
Communication needs: Materials should be available in plain language and in alternative formats such as large print, Braille, sign language interpreters, and by TTY.
Programmatic needs: The approach is holistic to ensure that all programs, policies, services, and messages are accessible. When not possible, alternatives are offered. For example, if a meeting is advertised, a phone contact or e-mail address should be included for people to request reasonable accommodation to their specific needs.

The community has been engaged in a number of other ways including facilitating a series of presentations and meetings to get the word out about disability integration in emergency management, building capacity for response efforts, and enhancing community networks.

“FEMA is committed to ensuring that key aspects of recovery are available equally to all residents of Vermont or any other state where a disaster is declared,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. (Nick) Russo. “We need to provide accurate and accessible information to everyone who needs it.”

The National Hurricane Conference is a nationwide forum for education and professional training in hurricane-related topics. Participants include law enforcement, amateur radio, hospital and nursing home officials, transportation interests, engineers, insurance company representatives, armed forces disaster preparedness officials, fire and emergency services personnel and emergency managers.

More information on the National Hurricane Conference may be found at http://www.hurricanemeeting.com/.

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Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 11:48:11

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Vermont In Spotlight At National Hurricane Conference

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