Recovery from Vermont’s devastating 2023 floods is still ongoing. Now, more than $20 million in FEMA funding is heading to projects across the state to help cover repairs and rebuilding efforts.
Recovery from Vermont’s devastating 2023 floods is still ongoing. Now, more than $20 million in FEMA funding is heading to projects across the state to help cover repairs and rebuilding efforts.
Recovery from Vermont’s devastating 2023 floods is still ongoing. Now, more than $20 million in FEMA funding is heading to projects across the state to help cover repairs and rebuilding efforts.
Recovery from Vermont’s devastating 2023 floods is still ongoing. Now, more than $20 million in FEMA funding is heading to projects across the state to help cover repairs and rebuilding efforts.
Nearly three years after the devastating flooding, some of the city buildings hit hardest in Montpelier will benefit from the federal money.
“I think we are all really looking forward to moving into this next phase, because anyone who has gone through a major natural disaster knows that it takes a long time to work with FEMA,” said Kelly McNicholas Kury, the city manager for Montpelier. “It takes a long time to really negotiate what the final amount is going to be for us to invest in these repairs.”
Around $12 million will go toward repairs to Montpelier’s City Hall, police station and fire department. At the fire station, floodwaters filled the basement and eventually leaked into the main floor.
“Receiving the funding is huge for preventing future events and loss of space,” said Derek Libby, the fire chief for Montpelier Fire Department.
The damage stretched beyond just emergency buildings. At Lost Nation Theater inside City Hall, the flooding took out the building’s elevator, making it harder for some people to access the space.
“We haven’t been able to be as welcoming as we want to be to the entire community. And it’s added a pretty significant impact on us,” said Kathleen Keenan, the producing artistic director at Lost Nation Theater.
City officials said the elevator repairs are now moving forward, with the city covering the cost up front while working through FEMA reimbursement.
“They have to get help from someone else to get up here or not. Now they don’t have to worry about that. They can just come and be confident that they can access the building,” said Kim Bent from the Lost Nation Theater.
After years of meetings and negotiations, officials say the project is finally moving into its next phase.
“Our next step is to get a final design consultant onboard. We’ll be issuing an RFP to select a consultant, as well as getting an RFP out for a FEMA consultant to help us navigate the reimbursement process,” said Kurt Motyka, the director of public works for Montpelier.
Other projects receiving funding include repairs to parts of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and Washington County Railroad infrastructure damaged during the floods.
Vermont’s congressional delegation said they’re continuing to push for additional federal support for flood recovery projects across the state.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
