Please fill out our Online 2024 Application for Assistance to REQUEST ASSISTANCE or call 802-281-3198 to have someone walk you through the application over the phone.

If you or someone you know had any damage from the July 9th -11th storm (DR-4810-VT) and/or the July 29th-31st storm (DR-4826-VT) , you may be eligible for FEMA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to help you with home repairs, temporary housing, property damage (private roads and bridges), appliances, furniture, vehicles, child care, medical, lodging, moving expenses and more.

The deadline to register for July 9 -11  and  July 29-31 storm events was November 25.  

If you missed the deadline to register with FEMA due to extenuating circumstances, please call KURRVE at 802-281-3198 to see if we may be able to assist.

HELPFUL REMINDERS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT CRISIS CLEANUP

Be patient: The road to recovery will take longer than you think, and longer than it should. You will need to fill out dozens of nearly identical forms for dozens of agencies and insurance companies. Most of the time, it will seem as though your work is to no avail. Be as patient as you can. The disaster has left a permanent impression in your life and the life of your family. Seek a new normal, even as you let go of some cherished aspects of your former life and lifestyle.

Be persistent: Though exhausting, you must be your own advocate. Surround yourself with a good support system in your church or community.  Your best bets are to reach out to friends, family, neighbors, and local faith communities who may be able to organize cleanup efforts. You may also dial 2-1-1 to see if there are any local resources.

Never give up hope: Remember that you are a normal person reacting to an abnormal event. Seek the counsel and advice of trusted friends, family, counselors, case managers, faith leaders, and even attorneys. They can guide you through the baffling maze of spiritual, emotional, physical, and legal pitfalls that await. Celebrate your spiritual, emotional and family victories—large and small—when they come.

STARTING OVER STRONG VT (SOS VT)

A FREE and CONFIDENTIAL program that helps people recover and rebuild their lives after a disaster.

SPEAK WITH A TRAINED COUNSELOR:  If you or someone you know needs SUPPORT WITH FLOOD RECOVERY STRESS, please contact us at NEK SOS VT:  Phone: 802-424-5368 OR email: Community_Support@nkhs.net

CONTACT THE DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE

A FREE and CONFIDENTIAL 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.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MENTALLY HEALTHY COLLABORATIVE ACTION NETWORK RESOURCES

• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resource page

• How Are You Today, NEK? page 

• Get free CLEAN UP SUPPLIES or TEMPORARY FLOOD HOUSING ASSISTANCE by calling NEKCA at 1-855-633-5224

• Contact Erik Schultz, NEKCA’s GreenSavingSmart Financial and Energy Coach, at: eschultz@nekcavt.org or by phone at 802-503-0768 to inquire about the new FLOOD FURNACE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM or other HEATING programs.

• Find local food resources in NEK FOOD ACCESS DIRECTORY 

• Reach out to your MUTUAL AID/NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR NETWORK listed below.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THIS LIST, PLEASE CONTACT MEGHAN @ meghan@nekorganizing.org

BARTON

Barton Neighbor-to-Neighbor / Call: Jacqueline Laurion (802) 355-6260

CABOT AND LYNDON

Neighbors in Action / Website or Call: (802) 563-3322

CRAFTSBURY

Craftsbury Neighbor-to-Neighbor / Website or Call: (802) 586-8022

COVENTRY

Coventry Neighborhood Action Group / Call: Jim Cobb (802) 673-6792

GLOVER

Glover Neighbor-to-Neighbor / Call: Glover EMS Office (802) 525-3560 or Call: Emergency Manager (EMD), Phill Brooks (802) 673-4030

HARDWICK

Hardwick Neighbor-to-Neighbor / Facebook or Call: (802) 411-3301

The Civic Standard / Website or Call: (802) 595-8820 or e-mail thecivicstandard@gmail.com, checked constantly

NEK-WIDE

Northeast Kingdom Organizing / Website or Call: (802) 321-3317 or e-mail organizing@nekorganizing.org, checked daily

ADDITIONAL VT SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Vermont businesses and residents who lost their jobs because of the July 9-11 storms. Eligible residents may submit a claim at https://labor.vermont.gov/dua

• VT 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

• VT Energy Assistance: 1-800-775-0516

• Medicaid and Prescription Help: visit www.info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/find-local-help or call 855-899-9600

• Legal Services:  visit https://vtlawhelp.org/flooding or call 1-800-889-2047, Option 4

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

• 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

AGRICULTURE

• Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) for Agriculture Operations

• 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  

• Farm operators in the impacted counites in Vermont may be eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans through the USDA Disaster Declaration. Go online to www.farmers.gov/recover for more information

Current FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA REGISTRATION DEADLINE for DR-4810-VT (July 9-11th) AND DR-4826-VT (July 29-31st) is November 25, 2024

FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS (DRCs) are temporary offices set up after a disaster to provide support to impacted areas and communities. These offices may assist with the application process, answer questions about your application, and help you submit information to FEMA. You may also visit other disaster support partners (Small Business Administration, VT Department of Economic Services, etc.) at a DRC.

Homeowners and renters can now REGISTER WITH FEMA and APPLY FOR SBA AT THE SAME TIME.

FEMA ASSISTANCE PREPARATION AND TIPS

1. APPLY TO INSURANCE first (homeowners, renters, car, flood, etc.),

2. Gather all required PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION (identity, proof of property ownership and residency), and

3. Gather all DISASTER-RELATED DAMAGE DOCUMENTATION (insurance denial letter, receipts for clean-up supplies and contractors, contractor estimates, photos of all damage, etc.) for your FEMA case.

4. If APPLYING ONLINE, CHECK ‘HOME DAMAGE’ at the beginning of your FEMA application if you have disaster-related damage outside your home (driveways, culverts, bridges, external retention walls, etc.) in order to trigger a damage inspection.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER FEMA APPLICATION

• If you have already applied, you should receive a call from a FEMA inspector to set up a time to come inspect the damage within 5 days of submitting your application.

• Inspectors will only leave 3 messages. If you don’t call them back after 3 messages, your application will be returned to FEMA/ HQ.  This will delay your application.

• Before entering your home, the FEMA inspector will show you their badge and request your ID.

• Amounts that you are eligible for are based on lump sums for different types of damage (i.e. furniture is one amount, regardless of what was damaged) – with the exception of wells, septic systems, dehumidifiers.

• If you had any of those damaged and have already spent money on repairs or replacement, be prepared with your receipts, as the inspector will take a picture for your claim.

• The inspection is based on a form in an iPad, so the inspector will ask questions and walk through the home.

• If you had damage in 2023 and repaired it and it was damaged again, you are eligible for 2024 funding as if the damaged area was never damaged.  If you didn’t repair it, and it was damaged again, you are eligible but at a reduced amount.

• The inspectors will not be able to estimate potential amounts, nor can they update you on your application.  You have to call 1-800-621-33621 for questions or updates.

HOW TO APPEAL A FEMA DECISION

• Report to your INSURANCE COMPANY first (homeowners, renters, car, flood, etc.).  You will need to have done this prior to receiving any FEMA support for potentially covered expenses. If your claim is denied, keep a copy of your denial letter – you will need it. Keep ALL FLOOD-RELATED DOCUMENTATION.

• Take time-stamped PHOTOS and/or videos of all damage before cleaning it up.  Keep all RECEIPTS for any equipment you buy or rent to deal with flood damage and any CONTRACTOR ESTIMATES or BILLS.

• Know how to DEAL WITH MOLD by viewing our guide here. If you have questions about mold, call 800-439-8550 or 802-863-7220.

• Separate your hazardous DEBRIS from regular debris and follow the guidelines from VT ANR

FEMA Assistance is not welfare or a handout.  Like other Federal programs, our tax dollars go toward supporting Presidentially-declared disasters across the country.

FEMA Individual Assistance money is running out.  This is false.  Please apply if you had damage from either or both the July 9-11 and July 29-31 storm events.

If my application is denied, I won’t receive assistance. This is also false.  FEMA denials are a frequent occurrence and you can appeal the decision with new or additional documentation or information as many times as necessary as long as you do so within 60 days of receiving the decision letter.

If FEMA inspects my home and sees that it is unsafe, they will force me to leave or pursue a buyout.  This is not true.  FEMA inspectors cannot force anyone to leave their home or pursue a buyout.

If I have received money from a GoFundMe fundraiser, I won’t be eligible for FEMA assistance.  This is also not true.  FEMA does take into account your personal financial resources when making certain award determinations, but those resources do not disqualify you from seeking assistance.

There are no financial resources for private bridges or roads.  This is false.  Please see this FACT SHEET about FEMA and Small Business Association (SBA) Help with Private Bridges and Roads

See more disaster-related rumors and clarifications on this webpage:  https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/rumor-control 

See FEMA Individual Assistance BRIEFING SLIDES

See FACT SHEET  about Small Business Association (SBA) Loans (including for Individuals)

• REGISTER for VTAlert: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert. This will allow you to choose what emergency messages to receive, for what area, and by what contact methods.

• REACH OUT to your town’s Emergency Management Director (EMD), either through the public contact method on the VT Emergency Management website or through your town clerk, to find out how the town notifies individuals about emergency situations and the location of shelters. Some towns use VTAlert for that notification, but not most. A listing of the NEK’s EMDs and Town Clerks can be found here on tabs 2 and 3.  Your EMD and Town Clerk can also help connect you with mitigation efforts like sandbagging.

• REVIEW the guidance for flooding on the VT Emergency Management website which includes information about building a Preparedness Kit: https://vem.vermont.gov/preparedness/kit

• READ the Ready.gov information about flood preparation and evacuation here: https://www.ready.gov/floods#prepare

• REMEMBER that free and confidential supports are available to help with distress, concern, grief and fear: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to reach the DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE or Call or text 1-802-424-5368 to reach Starting Over Strong (SOS) VT.

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

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

WHAT YOUR DONATION GOES TOWARD

Your TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION goes toward our $1,000,000 fundraising goal for the Northeast Kingdom UNMET NEEDS RECOVERY FUND for individuals and families impacted by the 2023 and 2024 flooding events who do not have the resources to recover themselves.  

100% of your tax-deductible donation will go toward RECOVERY AND REBUILDING for these families and you will receive acknowledgement of your donation for your records from KURRVE’s fiscal agent Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS).

DIFFERENT WAYS TO DONATE

BY CHECK made out to NKHS and with note that your donation is for KURRVE on Memo line.  Mail to: NKHS, P.O. Box 724, Newport, VT 05855  

ONLINE at https://givebutter.com/i3SI85

DIRECT DEPOSIT:  Contact NKHS Chief Financial Officer and KURRVE Treasurer, Denis Houle, at DHoule@nkhs.net or 802-334-6744 ext 2191 to discuss a direct deposit or transfer option

• To join our VOLUNTEER pool, please fill out this webform:  https://forms.gle/A4vzPzTP6bXmS8Hn8

• 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. Contact meghan@nekorganizing.org if you’re an interested builder or funder.

• We need EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS to help continue the work.  Please contact KURRVE Coordinator, Misty Grassley at mistyg@nchcvt.org to find out more.

To our many donors including those who wish to remain anonymous, those who have donated cash to our partners at various collection events, those who have donated in-kind resources and supplies and those who have donated their time, blood, sweat and tears to help their neighbors..  We could not do this without your support.

BUSINESSES AND FOUNDATIONS:  Alamuddin-Ward Family Fund, All Hands and Hearts, American Red Cross, Braithwaite Family Fund, Burke Mountain, Burton Snowboards, Caledonia 4-H Foundation, Capstone Community Action, Discover St. Johnsbury, Fidelity Charitable Eikenberry Family Fund, Greensboro Association, Grifiths & Tharrett Family Fund, Gus & Heather Coldebella Charitable Fund, HOPE Coalition, Kinney Drugs, Morrison’s Feed Bag, Neighbors in Action, Northeast Kingdom Organizing, Northern Forest Center, Norwich Congregational Church, Ocean State Job Lot, Orleans Federated Church, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Rona Jaffee Foundation, Speare Family Fund, St. Johnsbury Town Band, Sunflower Fund of Vermont Community Foundation, United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries, United Church of Newport, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Vermont Community Foundation, VT Catholic Charities, WowToyz

INDIVIDUALS:  Ann Creaven, Elise Thorsen, Manual Torres, Elizabeth Hatch, Sacha Pealer, Sarah Halpine, Denny Lyster, Joan Alexander, Kathleen Johnson, Sarah Baker, Kate White, Daniel Witt, Sarah Wilds, Brian Groendyke, Nancy Rivers, Carla Payne, Mark William Maben & Julie Burstein, Des Hertz, Bruce & Elizabeth Bowling, Dana Rowangould, Erin O’Farrell, Jennifer Rogers, Karen Coffin, Nancy Rosenbloom, Beth Tyler, Brenda Webber, Zach M., Nick H., Adrienne Bousian, Marla Eglowstein, Jordan Schleeweis, Whitney Caruso, Madeleine Desrochers, Lisa Meyer, Michele Smith, Nina Jaffe, Nathaniel Shenton, Vicki Giella, Dorene Heffernan, Stephanie Davis, Rosemary Tobin, Nathan Bangs, Kimberly Kiesman, Jenny Levy, Adrian Ponoran, Kailee D’Angelo, Sarah Hague, Ezra Wolfe, Morgan Staples, Edward Dombroski, Debbie New, Amy Pace, Hannah Pearce, Peter Trojano, Scott Campbell, Penelope Patch, Ridie Ghezzi, Penelope Wright, Elinor Colbourn, Kenneth Bazyn, Bernie Gracy, Rob Riley, Caren & Scott Solomon, Mina Makarious, Holly Johnson, Clayton Gage, Penny Wolf, Elizabeth Billingham, Christine Reed, Mimi Flanagan, Jeff Hyde, Kristina Rychlik, Robert Wood, Zachary Manganello, Rita Clagett, Richard Cummings, Claire Stodola, John & Carolyn Mulligan, Denise Niemira, Tim & Rita Murphy, Linda Sargent, Barbara Nielsen, Stephanie Danielson, Raven Grantham, Garrett & Kathleen Keizer, Patricia Shine, Karl Farrington Miller, Christine and Reed Cass, Karen Barnett, Taylor Ralph, Todd Ciardelli, Brigid Griffin, Daniel Khalaf, Cassidy Sargent

• See JOB LISTING for NEK-based SOS VT Flood Crisis Counselors

MONTHLY KURRVE MEMBER MEETING

Host:  Misty Grassley (mistyg@nchcvt.org) 

Date/Time:  10:00am first Thursday of each month until further notice via WebEx or call in

WEEKLY 2023 – 2024 UNMET NEEDS COMMITTEE  

Host:  Misty Grassley  (mistyg@nchcvt.org) and/or Meghan Wayland (meghan@nekorganizing.org)

Date/Time:  3:00pm Wednesdays until further notice via Google Meet or call in

WEEKLY 2023-2024 CONSTRUCTION COORDINATION MEETING

Host:  Brian Baer (brianbaer@theelevatedstudio.org) 

Date/Time:  8:00am Fridays until further notice via Zoom

BY-LAWS

FISCAL AGENT

Northeast Kingdom Human Services

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• Co-Chair/President:  Meghan Wayland, Lead Organizer with Northeast Kingdom Organizing

• Co-Chair/Secretary: Heather Lindstrom, District Director with the St. Johnsbury Office of Local Health

• Fiscal Agent/Treasurer: Denis Houle, CFO with Northeast Kingdom Human Services

• Member At Large: Ed Sunday-Winters, Pastor at Greensboro United Church of Christ

• Member At Large: Paige Hartsell, Digital Equity Coach with Northeast Kingdom Community Action

UNMET NEEDS COMMITTEE

Above and Misty Grassley, KURRVE Coordinator/NEK Health Equity & Capacity Coach at Northern Counties Health Care; Brian Baer, Founder and Executive Director of The Elevated Studio; Terri Lavely, Training and Development with Northeast Kingdom Human Services; Chris Mitchell, Agency of Human Services Field Director for St. Johnsbury and Newport Districts, and Kari White, Director of Community Health Equity with Northern Counties Health Care and KURRVE Co-founder

MEMBERS

Above and Orleans Federated Church (Alyssa May), NEKCA (Jenna O’Farrell), Kingdom Trails Association, Hardwick Area Food Pantry, Neighbors in Action, Hardwick Neighbor to Neighbor (Helen Beattie and Diane Grenkow), Craftsbury Neighbor to Neighbor (Penelope Doherty), Green Mountain United Way (Tawnya Kristen), Building Bright Futures VT, NEK Habitat for Humanity, North Country Hospital and Primary Care, Hardwick Rescue Squad, Craftsbury Public House, Northeastern VT Regional Hospital (Diana Gibbs), United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), VT Department of Health Newport and St. Johnsbury other individual members

CONTRACT AND PARTNER STAFF

• Construction Coordinators:  Tim Shaeffer, Founder and CEO of a Call to Build and Rob Grassley, Independent Contractor

• Disaster Case Managers:  Crystal Franklin, Capstone Community Action; Faith Therrien, UMCOR and SallyAnn Stoddard, UMCOR

• VT Bridge Case Managers:  Kristen Gadbois, Angel Corrow, Trever Roy

• 2024 Flood Relief Food and Housing Coordinator:  Tara Reese, Center for an Agricultural Economy