Update - Storm Clean-up

Update: Storm Clean-up

Here is the latest update:
Initial Federal Response: This morning President Obama declared that an emergency exists in Vermont. This means federal funds will be released to be used for immediate emergency related efforts. For example, responders will now have a mobile operational van to assist Vermont’s temporary emergency operations center. They expect to be assisting with such activities as the in the removal of debris, engineering support for V-Trans, and possibly helping with ready-to-eat meals for the Red Cross. Costs with be shared 75% federal/25% state.
Public and Individual Assistance: Vermont Emergency Management (VEMA) and FEMA are still primarily in "response" mode, focused on safety and security. Over the week, the efforts will shift to "recovery" mode. Governor Shumlin will be asking President Obama for Public and Individual Assistance under a major disaster declaration. If granted, this declaration would provide significant federal and state assistance to municipalities for repair and replacement of bridges, as well as substantial grant and loan assistance for Vermont families whose homes or apartments were damages or destroyed. Again, costs will be shared 75% federal/12.5% state/12.5% local.

The first step to acquiring recovery aid is to take a statewide inventory of the damage. Vermont businesses, municipalities and individuals should call 211 to report property damages. If repairs are made by a property owner, it is important to document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance.

Emergency Flood Assistance Program for Businesses: The Governor and legislative leaders announced this afternoon their intentions of an expanded version of the Emergency Flood Assistance Program to provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. This program, administered by VEDA, was created after this spring’s floods and there is some money currently available to jump-start the dissemination of loans. The Emergency Board, whose members are the four legislative money chairs and the governor, will need to approve additional funding for this initiative. Details of the program should be finalized over the next couple of days. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website (http://www.veda.org/) for more information.
Waterbury Complex: The Waterbury Complex has suffered extensive damage and may be unusable for two weeks or more. Affected agencies and departments have worked throughout the day to implement continuity of operations plans. Of those state employees who usually work out of the Waterbury complex, only specifically authorized critical staff members will report to work at designated alternate work sites, Tuesday. All other state employees who usually work out of the Waterbury Complex should not report to work until authorized.

Vermont State Hospital: The Vermont State Hospital, a part of the Waterbury Complex, is not suitable for patients. Patients have been relocated throughout the day and expect the transfers to be completed this evening. These relocations will be temporary, until the current hospital is refurbished. The Brattleboro Retreat, Second Spring, Fletcher Allen, Springfield Correctional Facility, and other Vermont partners have assisted in this effort.

Contacting Vermont Emergency Management: VEMA and FEMA are coordinating the state and federal efforts with the various relevant agencies, including the Vermont National Guard. If your community has an individual need, call VEMA/FEMA headquarters at 211. A reminder, it is important that property damage be reported by also calling 211.

Additional Resources: Below you will find a summary from this morning’s conference call with emergency management officials. Some of the details in the summary have changed since the call and updates can be found in subsequent press releases from the Agency of Transportation and Vermont Emergency Management (attached). The latest information is available at http://vem.vermont.gov/. Information on roads and bridges is available at http://www.511vt.com/ or by calling 511. We will continue to send updates as they become available.
I hope this information is helpful for you and your communities. Please be in touch with Tom at tcheney@leg.state.vt.us or 828-2245 if you have additional questions and we will work to get them answered.

Summary of Conference Call with Vermont Emergency Management

Keith Flynn, Commissioner of Public Safety
.   The Emergency Operations Center was evacuated last night and has moved their field offices temporarily to co-locate with FEMA in Burlington due to the flooding in the Waterbury Complex. There is no outside internet in the Waterbury Complex and it will take 4-5 days to restore the connection.
.   There are approximately 264 roads impacted, 4 to 6 bridges are completely destroyed and many others have sustained heavy damage.
.   Contingency planning has begun for the State Hospital in case an evacuation is necessary. There are currently 10 State Troopers at the Hospital to assist the staff.
.   SWIFT Water response teams are activated throughout the state and are now in the recovery phase of operations.
.   Some individuals are isolated in Southern Vermont, but teams have been deployed to reestablish contact with these individuals

Mike O’Neil, Director of the Vermont Emergency Management
.   The Red Cross currently have 9 shelters open through out the state and there are over 30 local shelters operating
.   Approximately 45 to 50,000 residents are without power and the issues surrounding road access has slowed the restoration process.
.   511 lines are open

Greg Gilbert, Federal Emergency Management
.   There are currently 150 federal agents in the state and are coordinating their efforts with local communities
.   With the Emergency Declaration in effect, federal resources are available to the state.

Colonel L'Esperance, Vermont State Troopers
.   The State Troopers are currently performing a dragnet across the state to determine road damage and go door to door to check on people in affected areas.
.   The Bennington and Rutland barracks are currently having communication issues, but teams are working to sort that out
.   There has been one fatality in Willington and four people are missing in the Bennington area, though it has not been confirmed that they are in danger.
.   New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts State Police are helping in border areas.

Subject: FW: Transportation Media Alert - Post Irene

Please see this press release just sent out by the Agency of Transportation.
More updates to come throughout the day.
Tom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Chris Cole

August 29, 2011 802-828-1647

Montpelier, VT –The Vermont Agency of Transportation has been working throughout the night and continues today to assess road conditions along state infrastructure resulting from Hurricane Irene.

VTrans priority is to establish safe passage for travelers and is closing roads, when needed, and establishing safe detours. VTrans urges members of the public to exercise extreme caution in navigating the State highway system. If travel is not necessary, Vermonters are asked to stay home so emergency responders and road crews can conduct damage assessments to the State’s infrastructure.

There are State highway closures throughout the state, some State highway bridges are completely washed out, while others may be compromised. It will be several days before State officials can inspect all of the State bridges impacted by the extreme flooding caused by hurricane Irene.

Roads may be undermined by the flooding and slope failures may still be occurring. State officials are assessing which communities may be cut off and what infrastructure needs to be repaired first in order that power crews may gain access to down power lines and transformers.

While the Vermont Agency of Transportation knows about the closures to the State highway system, town road closures are reported to Vermont Emergency Management. The final number and location of all town roads and bridges that are closed or impassable is still unknown at this time. The public is urged not to cross roadways with standing water.

VTrans Operations crews have been deployed since the beginning of the weather event working through the evening and are still on the job making repairs to the state system. VTrans is deploying bridge inspection teams including teams from out of state and FEMA to inspect Vermont’s bridges. It will be several days before all bridges, state and town can be inspected.

To receive the latest information on State road and bridge closures, the public can access the State 511 system at http://www.511vt.com/.

Following are the state highway closures in effect as of 0400.
District One
Route 7 south of Manchester
Route 100/9 in Readsboro
Route 100 north of Wilmington
Route 9 in Wilmington
Route 30 at Route 133 in Pawlet
District Two
Route 30 at Newfane, Jamaica – bridges out
Route 9 west of Brattleboro in area of Shell Station & Cumberland Farms.
I-91 SB between Exits 5 and 6
Route 5 in Rockingham – bridge 39 undermining
Route 103 Chester at the new bridge 1 mile south of Route 11
Route 131 in Cavendish near Chub Hill
Route 11 in spots – Chester – Andover and Windham.
Route 100 Jamaica near Route 30 Intersection
Route 100 in Weston
Route 103 in Chester
Route 100 in Wardsboro
District 3
Route 7 north of Wallingford
Route 4 east of Rutland
Route 7 north of Rutland
Route 100 Ludlow
Route 144 East Wallingford
Route 103 Mount Holly
Route 100 between Route 4 and Pittsford
Route 73 between 53 and Route 100
Route 7 near Route 73 in Brandon
District 4
Route 4 in West Woodstock
Route 100 Granville Gulf
Route 107 between Bethel and Route 100
Route 12 between Route 4 and 107
Route 12A in West Braintree
District 5
Route 116 between Route 125 and 17
Route 125 between Route 116 and Route 100
Route 17 between Route 116 and Huntington Road
I-89 in Colchester
Route 2 Jonesville
District 6
Route 100 Moretown to Waitsfield
Route 100B
Route 12 Berlin to Riverton
Route 12 Worcester
Route 14 in Woodbury
District 7
Route 5 north of St. Johnsbury
Route 302 in Groton
Route 5 in Lyndonville
Route 122 previously closed now open
Route 5A at Route 5 in West Burke
District 8
Route 118 previously closed now open
Route 105 between Enosburg and Berkshire
Route 242 west of Jay Peak
District 9
Route 242 east of Jay Peak
Route 16 between I-91 and Barton
Route 105 between 114 and Lakeshore Drive near Island Pond

VERMONT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Date:
08/29/11

Contact:
Robert Stirewalt, Public Information Officer
Vermont Emergency Management
(802) 951-2708
Time:
2215
ADVISORY:
FEMA Distribution Center to be Established at Camp Johnson

BURLINGTON, VT – Thirty Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trucks carrying emergency supplies are scheduled to arrive in Vermont tonight to provide aid for the thousands of Vermonters affected by Hurricane Irene.

FEMA vehicles, carrying supplies such as food, blankets and other necessary items, will be establishing a distribution center at Camp Johnson in Colchester. From there, the relief supplies will be distributed to the Vermont communities in greatest need starting at sunrise on Tuesday, August 30.

Some communities are unreachable by roadways, so helicopters will be dispatched to distribute those supplies. National Guard will distribute the supplies to the communities reachable by land.

“Our goal is to reach all Vermonters who have been affected by the storm and find themselves in need at this time,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin. “We are utilizing all available resources – local, state and federal – to get commodities to those in need.”

“This identified objective of commodity distribution is consistent with the Governor’s goal of assuring the safety and stability of all Vermonters affected by this storm,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn, “and is done with the cooperation of our federal, state and local partners.”

Officials ask the public not to come to Camp Johnson to pick up supplies but to wait for their distribution on TUESDAY morning.