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HURRICANE 'IRENE' RECOVERY INFORMATION & RESOURCES

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News
Contacts for State of Vermont & USDA-FSA services
General Info | Farms | Families & Stress | Finance & Taxes | Food Safety | Homes | Schools
How to Help Support Vermont Communities Affected by 'Irene'

News

FEMA recovery information for Vermont Residents
Flood Damaged Crops
Home Gardening questions - Master Gardener Program helpline (1-800-639-2230, Vermont only; 802-656-5421, locally Chittenden County)
Interpreting the Results of Soil Tests for Heavy Metals (factsheet, PDF)
Livestock & Post-flood Concerns
Post-Flooding Produce Safety for Commercial Produce Growers (UVM Extension, PDF)
Unemployment information - Did You or An Employee Lose Your Work Because of 'Irene'? (factsheet, PDF)
Vermont farmers of all types, sizes and management methods, both organic and conventionalFARMERS should contact USDA/FSA, read full article ...
UVM Soil Testing FREE - University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science is assisting commercial farmers in Vermont with assessment of post-flood soil conditions in their fields. Read description of tests that can be run. The form, and regular price info for soil tests, is at: http://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing or call 802-656-3030.
Application deadline for Vermont Community Foundation grants - round 3 is October 14

Application in PDF format

Application in MSWord format

Agency of Natural Resources - 18 Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Sites available
Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program (VTAMP) - provides free mediation services to the agricultural community in Vermont. Read more ...
VPIRG announces 'Redeem to Rebuild' bottle drive to raise money for Vermont farms

Contacts for State of Vermont & USDA-FSA services

Agency of Ag News & Advisories

Vermont Farmers Advised to Follow FDA Guidance for Flood Damaged Produce
Explanation of Vt. Agency of Ag/FDA Advisory (Ginger Nickerson, UVM Extension GAPS Coordinator, 9/3/11)

Efficiency Vermont - Info for agriculture & farms
FSA Farm Loss Reporting
FEMA information for Vermont Residents
Financial Assistance Factsheet For Farmers Affected by 'Irene' (PDF, 9/9/11)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Vermont offices and contacts (PDF)
Telephone numbers for assistance and damage reporting:
Vermont Flood Recovery Resource Guide from the office of Senator Patrick Leahy
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources "Flood Response & Clean Up" information (9/9/11)

General Info

American Red Cross (Vermont & the New Hampshire Valley)
Centers for Disease Control - Emergency Preparedness and Response
Disaster Recovery Log free phone app (North Dakota State University Extension)
Disaster Recovery Series - free, downloadable publications on homes, appliances,relationships, clothing and textiles, agriculture (Iowa State University Extension)
Extension Disaster Education Network
eXtension Flooding Resources
FloodSmart.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Guide to Individual Disaster Assistance

National Weather Service (NOAA)
Putting the Pieces Back Together After Disaster: The first hours and days
University of Vermont Emergency Management
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont 211 - provides Vermonters with free access to community resources through information and referral
Vermont 511 - updated road closures
Vermont Extension Disaster Education Network
Vermont Emergency Management - report road damage, road closures, power outage maps, updates
VTrans Road Repair Update (includes realtime Google map)
VTResponse Blog - Vermonters helping Vermonters

Farms

Damage & Loss Reporting

Agricultural Damage Assessment Form (Word) & USDA Farm Service Agency website
Reporting Crop Damage and Losses in Vermont (UVM Extension press release)
Reporting Farm Damage From Hurricane 'Irene' (Vt. Agency of Ag press release)
Special instructions to farmers needing to report damage: If there is damage to any part of your property or business, including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., this information should be reported to your county USDA Farm Service Agency or your county Natural Resources Conservation Services office. You can also contact organizations to which you belong such as the Vermont Farm Bureau at 802-434-5646 or NOFA Vermont 802-434-4122. These organizations should send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture which will then forward to VEM. Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent immediately as well as USDA Farm Service Agency. Farmers are encouraged to keep in touch with USDA Farm Service Agency at 802-658-2803 and Natural Resources Conservation Service at 802-951-6796.

Farm Resources

Agency of Ag News & Advisories

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Advises Vermont Farmers to Follow FDA Guidance for Flood Damaged Produce
Explanation of Vt. Agency of Ag/FDA Advisory - 9/3/11 Letter from Ginger Nickerson, UVM Extension GAPS Coordinator

Composting
Feed & Forage information:
Flood Recovery Checklist for Farmsteads (North Dakota State University)
Managing Flood-Damaged Crops factsheet (UVM Extension, PDF)
Operating a Chainsaw Safely (LSUAgCenter.com)
Post-Flooding Produce Safety for Commercial Produce Growers (revised 9/20/11, UVM Extension, PDF)
Protecting Your Lungs While Working Flood Damaged Fields (blog) and related health resources:

Personal Protection for Flood Clean-Up

"Vt. Dept. of Health, UVM providing farmers protection equipment"

"How to Perform a User Seal Check with an N95 Respirator"

Flood sediment & soil clean up information

Voluntary Respiratory Protection - N95 Respirator Guidance

Health Department Town Officers

Health Department District Offices & Services

Recent Rain Creates Stress on Crops (UVM Extension, PDF)
Farm First for dairy producers, call toll-free 1-877-493-6216 or online (www.investeap.org, use password "dairy") - No-cost assistance to help families find solutions to immediate personal/family concerns
UVM Extension Farm Viability Program
UVM Soil Testing FREE University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Science is assisting commercial farmers in Vermont with assessment of post-flood soil conditions in their fields. Read description of tests that can be run. The form, and regular price info for soil tests, is at: http://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing or call 802-656-3030.
VEDA (Vermont Economic Development Authority) - low-interest loans will be made available to businesses/farms impacted by Hurricane Irene (read VEDA media release, PDF)

Families & Stress

After a Natural Disaster: Coping with Loss (University of Minnesota Extension)
Children as Victims of Natural Disasters — (Purdue Extension, PDF)
Children's Health in the Aftermath of Floods (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PDF)
Coping with Disaster (Mental Health America)
Dealing With Disasters (Iowa State University)
Encouraging Family Communication after a Disaster (University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, PDF)
Global Disasters: Helping Children Cope (National Association of School Psychologists, PDF)
Help Children Cope with a Disaster (Iowa State University Extension)
Helping Children Cope after Disasters — (CYFERNet - Children, Youth and Families Education and Resource Network)
Information for Family Caregivers (eXtension.org)
Rural & Agricultural VocRehab - for assistance with long-term illness/injury related to farm flooding/stress
Show You Care By Listening (Iowa State University Extension)
Understanding the Impact of Disasters on the Lives of Children and Youth (University of Arizona Extension, PDF)

Finance & Taxes

Document losses, expenses as first step in financial recovery after a disaster
Farm Flood Losses and Income Taxes (factsheet, PDF)
Filing Insurance Claims (LSUAgCenter.com)
Good News About Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy (LSUAgCenter.com)
Navigating a Post-Disaster Mortgage (LSUAgCenter.com)
Recover from Floods: Finances (University of Minnesota Extension)
Recovery After Disaster - a family financial toolkit (University of Minnesota Extension)
VEDA (Vermont Economic Development Authority) - low-interest loans will be made available to businesses/farms impacted by Hurricane Irene (read VEDA media release, PDF)

Food Safety

Food Safety After A Flood (UVM Extension, PDF)
Handling Food and Water After a Storm or Flood (LSUAgCenter.com)
Keeping Food and Water Safe Before, During and After a Disaster (LSUAgCenter.com)

Homes

After a Flood: The first steps (Alaska Red Cross, PDF)
After the Flood videos (North Dakota State University) what to look for and safety issues related to inspecting the outside of the structure, entering the home for the first time, drying out, mechanical systems, and electrical issues
Cleaning Flood Damaged Homes (LSUAgCenter.com)
Dealing with Storm-Damaged Trees (LSUAgCenter.com)
Disaster Information @ LSUAgCenter.com
Efficiency Vermont - Irene Relief Aid and Resources
Flood Recovery Checklists (North Dakota State University, PDF)
House Gutting Manual (Common Ground Relief, New Orleans, La.)
Mold Removal Guidelines for Your Flooded Home (LSUAgCenter.com)
Operating a Chainsaw Safely (LSUAgCenter.com)
Repairing Your Flooded Home (Alaska Red Cross, PDF)
Replacing Important Papers (LSUAgCenter.com)
Storm Recovery Guide (LSUAgCenter.com)

Schools

Resources for Educators (University of Illinois Extension)
Resources for Parents and Teachers (FEMA for Kids)
School Safety and Crisis Resources (National Association of School Psychologists)
Vermont Department of Education - list of schools affected by storm, mental health resources for families/children, school building conditions/damage mitigation resources

How to Help Support Vermont Communities Affected by 'Irene'

Donations

"211" for out-of-state donations - Donors from outside Vermont are asked to call 802-652-4636
Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank (www.vtfoodbank.org). The Foodbank will turn each donation into $60 for families in need.
United Way's Vermont Disaster Relief Fund online (www.vermont211.org) (through payroll deduction) or by sending a donation to your local United Way. Mark your donation "Vermont Disaster Relief Fund."
American Red Cross of Vermont and New Hampshire Valley (www.redcrossvtnhuv.org).
Intervale Growers Relief Fund - will be used by farmers to compensate for crop losses and equipment damage. To make a tax-deductible donation, please donate online at www.intervale.org. After you choose the amount you'd like to give, you can designate your contribution to the "Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund." Or, mail your donation to Intervale Center, 180 Intervale Road, Burlington, VT 05401. Please make your check payable to "Intervale Center Farmers Recovery Fund."
NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund - The Farmer Emergency Fund was established in 1997 to assist organic farmers adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters like the recent flooding and damage from Irene. We anticipate many requests for funds after this disaster, so all donations are welcome. Grants and zero-percent-interest loans are awarded to farmers in need as funds are available.
NOFA Support the Farmer Emergency Fund Benefit Auction
Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund
Vermont Farm Fund - To make a tax deductible donation, please visit hardwickagriculture.org/donate.html to donate online or write a check to the Vermont Farm Fund and mail to the Center for an Agricultural Economy, PO Box 451, 41 S. Main St., Hardwick, VT 05843

Volunteering

Individual volunteer opportunities may be found at the UVM Leadership and Civic Engagement website at www.uvm.edu/~lce/.
Blood donations are a critical need. www.redcrossvtnhuv.org or visit the Red Cross at 29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington; 802-660-9130.

Communities

KOOL-KATS 4-H Club of Readsboro, VT fundraiser for the Rebuild Vermont Relief Fund
Town of Pittsfield Hurricane Relief

Last modified November 16 2011 11:27 AM