Waterbury Community Flood Response Resources 2023

(Last Updated: December 21, 2023)

FOR EMERGENCIES: 911


For the latest information, check the Waterbury Roundabout, the Town of Waterbury Facebook page, and listen to WDEV at 550 am or 96.1 FM.  Sign up for VT-Alerts here: https://vem.vermont.gov/vtalert 

From Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS): Even if you did not have flood damage this time, the trauma of the past, and the potential for more, still rattles us all. If you experienced more loss, or anxiety because of the potential for it, please know Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) is here for you. They are offering short term crisis counseling with no wait-list. You can receive 3-5 sessions at no cost to you. If you decide you need more services, WCMHS can help you find those services. There is no record kept, so you are not in any file as a patient of WCMHS. Call 802-229-0591 today, and ask to speak to a member of the WCMHS Flood Counseling team.

If you want to help - SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER - Fri. 12/22 & Sat. 12/23

If you need help:

  • Waterbury Help - Local Volunteer Resources -

Email waterburyhelp@gmail.com or call 802-585-1152. This is a message only phone number; you can leave a message about needs.

  • Fire station non-emergency number (for shut offs, etc.): 802-244-8856
  • Water department  (if broken pipes/shut off needed): 802-244-6357
  • Emergency Shelter: Call 2-1-1 or you can locate shelter options by zip code by visiting the www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt/get-help.html or by texting SHELTER and your zip code (for example, “SHELTER 01234”) to 4FEMA (43362). For Spanish text REFUGIO and your zip code. Standard text message rates apply. You can also download the FEMA Mobile App to find open shelters.
  • Document, document, document! Take photos and keep receipts for what you purchase.
  • Financial and Food Assistance- If you need immediate financial assistance contact the Good Neighbor Fund - Text Rev. Peter Plagge at (802) 560-4667. Donate to it here: https://waterburycast.org/good-neighbor-fund/
  • Waterbury Area Food Shelf- The food shelf is open Monday and Friday 10am - 12pm and Wednesday from 3 - 5pm for anyone who needs emergency food; 57 South Main Street; (802) 595-4280

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If you want to help - SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER - Fri. 12/22 & Sat. 12/23

TO DONATE: 

The Waterbury Good Neighbor Fund provides resources to folks in financial distress. They have been incredible throughout the flooding and are helping people every day. https://waterburycast.org/donate/

The CReW - Community Resilience for the greater Waterbury area -- is our long-term recovery & resilience group, serving all the local small towns with rebuilding help, assistance navigating FEMA, paying for materials and professional assistance. Donations to support this work are made via Revitalizing Waterbury: https://revitalizingwaterbury.org/waterbury-relief-fund 

Waterbury resources for staying up to date

FEMA INFORMATION

For those impacted by flooding: The most important first step is to register with FEMA. This is for everyone; businesses and individuals.

You will be able to register for the December flooding once a disaster declaration is issued by the President. We will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available,

You have until September 12 to apply for FEMA assistance.

How To Connect With FEMA

FEMA Application Support 

FEMA opened their Washington County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Armory:

Waterbury Armory

294 Armory Drive

Waterbury, VT 05676

8:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week.

On site, there will be FEMA officials helping people with disaster assistance applications, caseworkers handling ANY APPEALS PEOPLE MAY HAVE, machines to help with scanning/faxing documents and people to help look up any general updates (these caseworkers will have access to people’s individual files on site).

There will also be at least two SBA paperwork officials on site too

Before you apply for FEMA assistance

  • Allow yourself a half hour to fill out the form
  • Take photos of your damaged home and belongings
  • Make a list of damaged / lost items
  • Have this info ready
  •  SSN (or child SSN if parents are non-US citizens)
  • Annual Household Income
  • Contact Info
  • Insurance information (coverage, company name, etc)
  • Bank Account Info (assistance will be direct deposited)
  • Have these documents handy
  • Insurance determination letter
  • Proof of occupancy OR ownership (renters are eligible)
  • Proof of ID
  • If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance (not necessarily beforehand the FEMA application)
  • Download the app (FEMA in the app store or visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/)

Individual FEMA Assistance Can Be Available For:

  • Rental assistance
  • Lodging expense reimbursement
  • Home repair
  • Home replacement
  • Direct housing
  • Loss of personal property including, but not limited to         
  • Furnishings, appliances, essential tools, and assistive equipment that supports daily living activities
  • Medical and Dental services that were necessary because of the storm
  • Funeral expenses
  • Child care costs incurred as a result of the disaster
  • Repair or replacement of vehicles
  • Moving and storage expenses
  • Cleaning and removal of contaminants
  • Other critical needs for those who are displaced for their primary dwelling

STATE RESOURCES (Federal resources are often linked within these documents)

Vermont 211: A free, confidential information and referral program of the United Ways of Vermont, helping to connect Vermonters with a wide range of community, health, and human resources and services. The mission of Vermont 211 is to promote the health and well-being of all people in Vermont through a statewide information and referral system for streamlined access to community resources.

  • Call by dialing 2-1-1 24 hours/ 7 days
  • Text your zip code to 898211
    M-F 8:00am to 10:00pm
  • Email  at info@vermont211.org
    M-F 8:00am to 10:00 pm

State of Vermont Flood Resources-Updated on a regular basis

This page has been developed to enable Vermonters to navigate important things to do and available resources in one initial stop, with links to more detailed information if you need it. It is being updated on an ongoing basis so please check back often for new or updated details. Examples of resources: Anything having to do with food, water, housing, FEMA information, unemployment, damage to a business,

Quick Links

  • General Assistance Housing Program (Hotel or Motel) for Catastrophic Need: Call 1-800-775-0506
  • Mental Health Supports: Call 9-8-8
  • 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

3SquaresVT Hot Food Waiver: The State of Vermont was just approved to allow 3SquaresVT/SNAP participants to buy hot and hot prepared foods at SNAP-authorized retailers (grocery stores, general and convenience stores, farmers markets, etc).

OTHER RESOURCES

Master Checklist for Resident Recovery

FEMA Best Practice Flood Recovery Sheet

Renter’s Rights During A Disaster

Historic Flood resource document with some best practices

How to avoid scams during Vermont's disaster recovery-from VT Public 7/12/23

Environmental Protection Agency: Protecting Children's Health During and After Natural Disasters

Financial Resources