LOCAL

• Help us meet our NEK Unmet Needs Fund goal of $500,000 by sending  a tax-deductible donation check to NKHS, P.O. Box 724, Newport, VT 05855 with a note on the Memo line that the donation is for KURRVE.
• Interested in becoming an Individual or Organzational Member of KURRVE or volunteering with us?  E-mail us at KURRVE5LTRG@gmail.com or cal 802.281.3198 and let us know a little bit about who you are and your interest in KURRVE.
• We’re seeking contractors to be part of a construction crew that works with flood survivors to rebuild their homes and the homes of neighbors. We want to prioritize hiring folks who were impacted by the floods this summer.  Contact meghan@nekorganizing.org if you’re an interested builder or funder.

STATE

• Contact 2-1-1: Have masks to share? Five gallon buckets? Chainsaw skills and time? An excavator? Call this number or visit their website to share resources. This is also the number to call to report flood damage or to get support with critical need for resources.
• The State has set up the Vermont Volunteer Register Management System to help match willing volunteers with the areas of greatest need:  https://www.vermont.gov/volunteer#gsc.tab=0
  
• The Vermont Community Foundation has established the VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 to support ongoing recovery efforts.  To learn more or donate: https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response/
  
• United Ways around the state are developing a disaster relief fund. Donate here to support neighbors who will need help with replacing food and possessions, repairing property, and more.
• The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund will provide small grants to small businesses impacted by the flood until additional resources can be accessed:  https://www.vtrecovery2023.com/

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

Call 9-8-8 to help yourself or someone else deal with the emotional toll of this crisis

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support due to any level of stress related to Vermont’s recent flooding emergencies, the Trauma Recovery Network (“TRN”) of VT is able to offer short-term and effective support using EMDR. Licensed EMDR clinicians are offering up to 10 sliding scale and pro-bono sessions to anyone affected regardless of insurance via telehealth and in-person. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy which can reduce and even eliminate the negative effects of stressful and traumatic experiences. For more information, please complete this brief online form: https://forms.gle/1KJkTrFD6qD6nAbV6 

The NEK Council on Aging has staff to support and guide elderly and disabled NEK residents in accessing resources. You can reach them directly at 802-748-5182 or 802-334-2190 or toll-free at 800-642-5119.

Northeast Kingdom Human Services is available 24 hours a day at 802-334-6744 if you need to talk.

Efficiency Vermont Funding for Rebuilding
Efficiency Vermont will launch a new flood relief programs on Sept. 5 to help income-eligible Vermont homeowners, renters and business rebuild. The programs will help replace home heating systems, water heating systems, and other appliances damaged or destroyed by the floods. The new programs can also be used to upgrade home electric panels to accommodate electrification efforts now or in the future. Sign up for their newsletter at https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/newsletter-sign-up to be alerted when the program starts.

BEGAP Grants for Businesses & Nonprofits
Funding is still available! The $20 million dollar Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program through the Department of Economic Development is for businesses, nonprofits, and landlords that suffered physical flood damage. The grant funds are to help businesses reopen their doors, bring employees back to work, and help displaced Vermonters return to their rental housing. It’s not too late to apply. Learn more at https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/flood-emergency-funding

BEGAP Grant Assistance for Farmers
$1 million is available for agricultural operations that suffered flood damage. Grants are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Learn more at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/business-emergency-gap-assistance-program-begap

VT Main Street Recovery Fund 
Does your business need immediate cash assistance until additional support is available? NEK businesses are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 for equipment replacement, operation expenses and supplies to help with clean up. There is also an opportunity to reapply as additional funds become available. Learn more at https://www.vtrecovery2023.com/

Free Legal Services
Vermont Law and Graduate School is offering free legal services to residential and commercial flood victims. More information available at https://airtable.com/shrvAlKOQCb1Wmc7O

VTSBDC Disaster Recovery Guide for Business at https://vtsbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/VtSBDC-cover-and-pages-clientdisasterguide.pdf

Vermont Dept. of Labor Disaster Unemployment Assistance at https://labor.vermont.gov/dua

USDA Rural Development Disaster Assistance at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/rural-development-disaster-assistance

The Vermont Flood Response and Recovery Fund at https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response/

HOW TO GET HELP

• Emergencies: Please dial 9-1-1
• Immediate Needs: Call 2-1-1
• Mental Health Supports: Call 9-8-8
• General Assistance Housing Program (Hotel or Motel) for Catastrophic Need: Call 1-800-775-0506
• Locate a food shelf: visit www.vtfoodbank.org/agency-locator  or call 1-800-585-2265
• Support for disabled individuals: Visit disabilities, or access and functional needs
• Support for farmers: connect with technical, legal or financial assistance or to a counselor or trained peer;
  Home | FarmFirst
• Vermont Childcare Helpline VT: 1-800-649-2642
• Energy Assistance: 1-800-775-0516
• Damage to an essential vehicle: visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
• Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses: visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
• Disaster-related child-care expenses: visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
• Medicaid and Prescription Help: visit www.info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/find-local-help or call 855-899-9600
• American Red Cross: visit www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt/get-help.html or call 855-891-7325
• Disaster-related Medical and Dental Expenses: visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Vermont Department of Health:  Before, During and After a Flood (including free water testing kits): https://www.healthvermont.gov/emergency/prepare/stay-safe-flood
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides information on how to safely clean up after a flood, and how to prevent mold in your home or business:  https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/facts.html
  
• Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources has a page of resources on how to safely clean up after a flood pump out a basement, and take other mitigation measures:  https://anr.vermont.gov/flood
• This is a challenging and frightening time for many people.  If you need mental health support, or know someone who does, the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7/365 at 1-800-985-5990.

AGRICULTURE

• The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets has page of resources on reporting damage and loss, crop growers, produce growers, dairy operations, meat and poultry processors, and recovery funding opportunities:  https://agriculture.vermont.gov/flood
• UVM Extension has an extensive page of resources on managing flood damage:  https://www.uvm.edu/extension/disaster-resources  
• For help in assessing and reporting field and crop damage, you can contact the USDA Farm Service Agency County Offices: Caledonia and Essex Counties- Patty Matte, County Executive Director, 802-748-2641 X 3146, patricia.matte@usda.gov/ Orleans County-  Heather Mateja, County Executive Director, 802-334-6090 X 128, heather.mateja@usda.gov

Sign up for VTALERT to get real-time alerts and notices for your health and safety

SBA Loan Information – Disaster Loan Fact Sheet / Disaster Loan One Page How To for Home Owners and Renters / Disaster Assistance One Pager for Businesses and Nonprofits / News Release

Health Information – HealthVermont.gov/Flood

Emergency Management – VEM.Vermont.gov/Flood

Agriculture Information – Agriculture.Vermont.gov/Flood

Environmental Information – ANR.Vermont.gov/Flood

Mental Health: MentalHealth.Vermont.gov/Flood

National Weather Service – Weather.gov/btv

Road Conditions – NewEngland511.org/region/Vermont

Vermont 211 – Dial 211 or online Vermont211.org