by Erin Petenko, VTDigger
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $3.9 million to the town of Hardwick for July 2023-related flood repairs and mitigation, the most of any municipality in the state.
file photo by Sarah Mearhoff, VTDigger
That money represents “much needed relief” for a town hit hard by both the July 2023 and July 2024 floods, said Hardwick Town Manager David Upson.
According to a press release sent out Monday, FEMA plans to award the money to the state of Vermont, which will in turn distribute the funds to the town. Will Roy, federal coordinating officer for FEMA, said in the press release that the agency was “pleased” to assist the town with these costs.
“Reimbursing state and local governments, as well as eligible nonprofits, for the costs incurred due to this disaster is an important part of the state’s recovery,” he said.
The agency has awarded more than $119 million through the Public Assistance program in relation to the July 2023 flood. According to data from FEMA’s website, Hardwick has received the most of any Vermont municipality so far, although the Vermont Department of Buildings & General Services has been awarded far more, at $27.4 million, for state building repairs and emergency protective measures.
Of the funds going to Hardwick, $2.7 million is meant to offset the cost of permanent repairs of the Main Street retaining wall. Upson said it was “imperative” the wall be repaired because the street is built adjacent to the Lamoille River. “The whole street could be washed down the river,” he said.
FEMA distinguishes between funding projects for separate disasters, but for Hardwick, which flooded in both 2023 and 2024, some of the projects under consideration are related to both flooding events. Upson said one bridge damaged in 2023 was rebuilt, only to wash away in 2024. The town plans to use FEMA funding for engineering and architectural work to design a more permanent, flood-resilient bridge.
Another part of the money has been allotted as reimbursement for emergency work Hardwick performed in 2023, Upson said.
The total cost of those town projects comes to $4.4 million. FEMA said it would award 90% of the cost. According to Upson, the state plans to cover 7.8% of the remaining costs, while the town would be responsible for 2.2%.
Upson said the town was still in the “infancy” stages in terms of rebuilding and preparing for the next flood. He estimated that three-quarters of the repair and mitigation work was still ahead.
