Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be closing its temporary offices in Franklin and Orleans Counties, but those affected by this spring’s rains and flooding can continue to get help.
The disaster recovery center in Newport will close Friday, July 22 at 6 p.m., while the center in Swanton will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. Individuals can visit other centers in Vermont or call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).
To find the nearest open center to you, log on to www.fema.gov/drclocator.
“We are redeploying our staff to better serve all Vermonters affected by this spring’s flooding, but we are not leaving the people of Franklin County or the Northeast Kingdom behind,” said FEMA’s federal coordinating officer Craig Gilbert. “The Colchester and Barre centers are still open, and phone and online registration for aid remain available.”
The Swanton center, located at 10 Precision Lane in the Swanton Industrial Park, and the Newport Center at the Newport City Hall Gymnasium, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until their closures this weekend.
The remaining disaster recovery centers in Colchester and Barre will remain open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Barre center will be open this Sunday, July 24, from noon to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday thereafter.
Emergency management experts from Vermont Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs.
Vermont residents in most of the federally-designated counties have until Aug. 15 register for assistance. Those in Washington and Caledonia counties have until Sept. 6. Calling 2-1-1 is not the same as registering with FEMA.
“Be aware that the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance for those in Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Orleans Counties is this Monday, July 25th,” said Vermont Emergency Management Director Mike O’Neil. “Those who have been unable to work because of the recent flooding in those counties are encouraged to contact the Department of Labor Assistance Line at 877-214-3330 to seek these benefits.”
Disaster officials ask that before visiting any DRC, people first register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Multilingual registration assistance and help is available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; or call 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).
Once someone is registered, staff at a center can quickly review and update applicant information and provide specific answers to individual questions and concerns. Center specialists can also identify possible help from voluntary agencies or provide disaster-related information to reduce future damage risks.
Other DRC locations in Vermont:
Mallett’s Bay Fire Station
844 Church Road
Colchester, VT 05446
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Barre Municipal Auditorium
16 Auditorium Hill
Barre, VT 05641
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 24, noon to 6 p.m.
