FEMA Approves Over $1 Million in Funding to Help Communities Recover from Recent Disasters and Strengthen Their Resilience Against Future Disasters in Vermont

Today, FEMA announced the approval of more than $1 million in funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Vermont. These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover from disasters, rebuild safer and more resilient communities and protect infrastructure from future events. With this funding, President Donald J. Trump is keeping his promise to reform federal disaster support and ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects and programs that deliver safety and security to the American people.

The projects reimbursed through Public Assistance funding approved today include:

• Nearly $232,000 for the town of Bridgewater for architectural and engineering studies for the replacement of the Hale Hollow Bridge, which was damaged by the December 18-19, 2023 severe storms and flooding.
• Almost $597,000 to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for repairs to Beaver Brook Road in the Groton State Forest, which suffered numerous blown out culverts and damage due to the July 2024 severe storms and flooding.

FEMA disburses this money to states, tribes and territories, as they are best positioned to know how these funds will be most effectively spent. The funded projects include repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of public buildings, road repairs and reimbursement for costs incurred to ensure public health and safety after a disaster.

FEMA is also awarding nearly $234,000 for the Mill Brook shoreline restoration/stabilization project in Jericho that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage. The grant will be used to restore the floodplain at the confluence of Mill Brook and the Winooski River, and stabilize a portion of nearby VT Route 117. This money is being distributed through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Through this program, state, local or territorial governments and Tribal Nations take proactive mitigation measures such as acquiring and removing flood-prone properties, adopting and enforcing building codes and standards, protecting against floods through elevations and drainage improvement projects, building safe rooms and upgrading utilities and infrastructure.

These awards are the latest examples of billions of dollars provided by FEMA to support local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters.

FEMA continues its renewed commitment to support communities as they lead recovery from disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires while making themselves more resilient to future disasters.