Vermont Leaders Call for FEMA Improvements Following Flood Crisis

In a recent move poised to address the aftermath of the July 2023 floods in Vermont, the state’s congressional delegation – comprised of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch, and Rep. Becca Balint – has taken a definitive stand on the federal response to the disaster. Recognizing the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which has so far distributed over $25 million in aid to more than 3,600 households, the Vermont leaders are nevertheless pressing for critical improvements.

The delegation pinpointed several areas where FEMA’s assistance programme appears to falter, particularly affecting residents grappling with the flood’s aftermath. Among the primary concerns are the hurdles faced by owners of manufactured homes in securing housing assistance, the confusion caused by FEMA’s correspondence with aid applicants, and the delayed provision of technical support to navigate the recovery process.

With a growing sense of urgency, Vermont’s representatives in Congress have formally requested a detailed briefing from FEMA. Expected by no later than May 29, this meeting aims to address the delegation’s concerns directly, ensuring that Vermont residents receive the necessary support and guidance to recover from the flood’s devastating impacts. The push for this engagement underscores a commitment to overcoming the shortcomings in the current disaster response framework, aiming to streamline aid processes and alleviate the hardships faced by affected communities.