Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s press conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 7/13/23.
Governor Scott, Vermont’s Federal Delegation, FEMA administrators, and state administration officials gave an update today on flood recovery in Vermont. All stressed that officials are currently in the assessment stage and asked Vermonters to remain vigilant and prepared for additional rain forecasted for Thursday and Friday.
NOTES:
- Commissioner Morrison – Commissioner of Public Safety
- In better shape than we were at this time yesterday. Still in active response mode and have multiple rescues ongoing – hardest hit is Lamoille County – over 200 rescues since Sunday and facilitated over 100 evacuations. Compiling reports of damaged or destroyed infrastructure. Continuing to stage swift water and urban search and rescue teams.
- Generally speaking, rivers have crested, and river flooding should wind down throughout the day.
- Some areas turning corner towards recovery.
- Continue to remind Vermonters that further precipitation is forecasted for Thursday and Friday that could bring significant additional rainfall – more flooding is a very real possibility.
- Current flooding risks: Winooski River at Essex, Lamoille River at Jeffersonville, Missisquoi River at East Berkshire, Otter Creek at Center Rutland, Arrowhead Dam in Milton.
- All rivers expected to be below the flood stage in the next 24 hours. Waterways are not safe right now. Currents are fast – tremendous amount of debris – folks need to stay off rivers for the time being.
- As of 8 a.m. this morning – no fatalities have been reported. Due to Vermonters’ common sense and resilience and incredible dedication and professionalism and hard work of our first responder community.
- Need to remain vigilant in the days to come. Many disaster-related deaths occur during clean up and recovery. Don’t take chances.
- Many communities under boil water notices – list can be found at anr.vermont.gov/flood.
- Below 1000 power outages.
- Take caution when returning to flooded home – don’t turn on power until having licensed electrician checks it out.
- Report damaged property to 211 – collecting data for a possible federal disaster declaration. Need info to paint accurate picture of extent of damage across the state.
- Homeowners – contact insurance company
- If you are displaced from home – need shelter – call 211.
- State has established website for those wishing to volunteer to help – register and not self deploy. Go to vermont.gov/volunteer. Not asking for donations of supplies at this time. If you want to donate money, donate to established group.
- Governor Scott:
- Grateful to be joined by FEMA administrator and Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch, and Congresswoman Balint. Will work in Congress to help Vermont move forward. Appreciate number of messages I’ve received from governors from both sides of the aisle. Pres. Biden also called to express concern and offered full support. This isn’t a dog and pony show – we have work to do this afternoon. After this press conference, we’ll be surveying damage.
- The flooding we’ve seen is historic – as waters begin to recede, we’ll be surveying the damage done to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. This may not be over. With rain in the forecast, and nowhere to water to go, there could be more flooding.
- Still in immediate response phase, and not at a point where we’re focusing on recovery. Later today I’ll be signing an executive order so we can expedite rebuilding through temporary regulatory relief which will be critical for emergency response and infrastructure repairs. We’ll have more information on that in the next 24 hours.
- Later today – Administrator Criswell, our Congressional Delegation, and I will visit some of the impacted sites surveying damage.
- Traveling later this week in many heavily impacted communities across the state.
- Thank all those working on the response and the thousands of Vermonters who are stepping up to get us through this crisis. Inspired by resilience and humanity. From first responders to neighbors checking on neighbors. I know we’ll get through this by working together.
- FEMA Administrator Criswell:
- On behalf of President and entire federal family – our thoughts are with Vermont right now. Hearts are with everyone going through this. I know many people are remembering what it was like in Irene.
- FEMA here ready to support. Had teams on ground prior to declaration.
- Swift approval for Disaster Declaration – can mobilize entire federal family to come in and give lifesaving and sustaining response activities that are so crucial – today is about understanding what the impacts are and the extent of damage so that we can be sure that we’re turning on the right programs and bringing in the right resources.
- Very important that Vermonters stay vigilant. Expecting more rain. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way and move into water – moving water. Takes just 6 inches of water to be swept off of your feet. Lots of debris.
- Do not need to wait to see if FEMA is going to come and do an inspection – take pictures, document damage – have information available, but you don’t need to wait to start the cleanup process. The faster you can get debris moved out of your home, the easier it is going to be for the recovery time.
- FEMA going to be here to support Vermont as you transition into recovery phase.
- Sen. Sanders:
- We are living through worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since 1927. Looking at thousands and thousands of homes and businesses which have been damaged, sometime severely.
- The delegation are working very hard on making sure that all of the relevant resources are available in this state. President has pledged to do everything that he and his team can do.
- Will be working with FEMA, Dept. of Transportation, Agriculture, and other federal agencies. Want to make clear that our delegation will work to make sure that the private insurance companies respond quickly to the people of Vermont and aren’t nickel and diming people.
- Sen. Welch:
- Remembering post Irene – recovery is tough and long and begins today.
- Inspired by work of first responders.
- Want to thank the reporters – this is the time when local news is what people need desperately – the news that has been provided by our press corps is a security for all of Vermont.
- FEMA dealing with unprecedented amount of national disasters – going to make sure that FEMA gets the funding they need – we’ve been assured by other members of Congress that they will offer support.
- Lots of hassle with paperwork – can be difficult – Bernie, Becca, and I will coordinate our casework teams so that we can provide best and most efficient response for Vermonters.
- Will be an ongoing process. Will be all in to back up on the ground work.
- Congresswoman Balint:
- This kind of event brings up a tremendous amount of trauma for communities and individuals. Still reeling from pandemic, and this has brought up memories of what happened during Tropical Storm Irene.
- Can’t overstate the impact of trauma on the lives – particularly on children.
- I know that Vermonters will continue to step up for each other. Sign up on Vermont.gov to volunteer. Be part of a coordinated event in terms of helping your neighbors.
- Be gentle with one another. This is a difficult time for so many. Individuals, small businesses, farmers. Saw lots of cropland that’s been destroyed. Even on a good day, farming in Vermont is a tough way to make ends meet. Let your neighbors know that you’re there for them.
- Will stay in close contact with Administrator Criswell and the governor.
- Questions:
- Does FEMA cover agriculture losses?
- Criswell – Stafford Act does not cover that but we can help coordinate with the Dept. of Ag to make sure that we get the right federal representatives in here to understand impact.
- Role of climate change?
- Criswell – In my two plus years in this role, I’ve seen an increase in records being broken that have stood for decades or a century. Happening over and over again. Climate change is a factor I think in what we’re seeing in the increase in the amount of rain that we’re seeing – even in our hurricanes. Need to think what this will look like in 10 years to know those risks and impacts. Use our mitigation dollars to mitigate those impacts and help those communities be more resilient.
- Rescues still happening where in Lamoille County?
- Morrison, Jeffersonville and other places.
- With rain still coming – situation with Wrightsville Dam?
- Scott – Monitoring the level – got up to about one foot below where we’d have to open up the gates. But continuing to monitor. One of my biggest concerns is what about Thursday and Friday.
- What are you anticipating Thursday and Friday?
- Scott – Weather Service is saying one to two inches Thursday and Friday but you never know what you’re going to get.
- Communities with Boil Water notices?
- Morrison – Multiple communities – Real time list of impacted water districts. ANR.Vermont.gov/flood
- FEMA money is grant, loans?
- Ehrlich – Today is a day for assessment – will be determining extent of the damage – depending on that assessment – there will be determination of funding.
- Do you foresee the Farm Bill in playing any role in getting funds to Vermont?
- Welch – I don’t see that. I see current structure with FEMA working. Talked to head of NOAA about Climate Change – warmer weather over the ocean that then comes across the country – means that there’s much more moisture in the air. So a rainstorm pre-climate change wouldn’t have dumped 9 inches of rain. That is very much a climate change-related situation. With our ridgelines, it created a dynamic where it lingered longer too.
- How do you manage the dam? Release water?
- Interim Director of Vermont Emergency Management: Wrightsville Dam – have had eyes on it since Sunday night. Overflow is acting in the way it’s supposed to act. That dam has stabilized a foot under overflow.
- M Gendron – Attention focused on three flood control dams. Wrightsville is at reduced risk. Continuing to monitor it. Working with Army Corps of Engineers to determine what will happen with more precipitation – know when to mobilize people and keep them safe.
- How is health care infrastructure working right now?
- Morrison – To my knowledge they are all accessible and staffed. During last 72 hours – one request to bring staff to hotel where roadways were closed. Copley at boil water notice – working on resources for that.
- Delivery routes for supply chain – essential goods. Any interruptions?
- VEM – No. No issues.
- Flynn – Current interruption on rail (primarily fuel, also lumber and animal feed). 46 roads remain closed. Still working to inspect 35 bridges around the state of Vermont. Lost only 2 – significant difference from Irene (floating bridge in Brookfield and one in Vershire). Amtrak remains suspended.
- Does FEMA cover agriculture losses?