NORTHEAST FLOODING: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

EAP/The Centers for Wellbeing is here to support businesses, employees, and their families with recovery efforts and support. In many regions throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York, floodwaters have washed out roads and cut off communities. As we begin to understand the full extent of the damage caused by severe weather, consider these tips and share with your workplace and household.

Vermont 211 Needs Your Disaster Damage Information: In order to help the state apply for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program, we need to collect details about damage to your residence or business. If you are a resident of the state of Vermont, please fill out this form with as much detail as possible; Vermont businesses, please use this form. 

What residents and families can do right now:

• If you are in need of shelter: Visit vermont211.org for an ongoing list of open shelters; contact New York’s Office of Emergency Management; call New Hampshire’s Department of Safety; or locate the nearest American Red Cross Location
• In Vermont: State emergency management officials and recovery resources are accessible at vermont211.org and by calling 2-1-1. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. Vermonters should sign up to receive emergency alerts and observe road closures and power outages; you can monitor river levels here
• New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at alert.ny.gov; in New Hampshire, visit ReadyNH.gov
• You can find all the latest road closures on New England 511
• Tip sheet: How to stay safe during and after flooding
• Create an emergency evacuation kit using this checklist
• Damage to your property? FEMA has created a page for Vermont disaster relief information. Use this FEMA checklist for documentation steps in case you need to file an insurance (or other) claim
• Mascoma Bank has created a special Emergency Flood home improvement loan to help homeowners hit by the recent heavy storms; available in specific VT and NH counties 
• Are you on 3SquaresVT and lost food due to flooding? Review the "Replacement Benefits Due to Emergency or Theft" dropdown here 
• Legal resource centers: Common Legal and Benefits Issues After a Disaster Like Flooding and Resources for Disaster Survivors are full of helpful guidance and legal forms
• Senator Sanders' office is asking Vermonters to contact them directly here if you need help navigating federal agencies; New Yorkers can contact their senators here and New Hampshire senators here
• Check on your neighbors and friends, and if possible, consider volunteering in the recovery efforts or offering mutual aid. We’re all in this together.

What businesses can do right now:

• Following a disaster in the community, immediately communicate with all employees. Even a quick emailed message to all staff, detailing your concern for their wellbeing and listing available resources, can go a long way.
• Account for all employees as part of the emergency response plan. After every employee is determined to be safe, assess the potential human impacts and pull together your leadership team. You’ll want to make decisions around opening/closing, communication methods, and appropriate steps should someone (or the business) require assistance.
• Send your employees this reminder to contact EAP if they could use some support.
• Visit the VtSBDC website for more detailed information on documenting damage in the wake of a disaster. Start by documenting the damage to your business and inventory via photos and videos when it is safe to do so. Make a list of damaged or lost items and, if possible, include the date of purchase, value, and receipts.
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim or understand what losses may be covered.
• In Vermont and New York, official State of Emergency declarations have been declared. State Emergency Management officials will be working with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration on a disaster declaration which will allow for federal assistance in repairing damage from this storm.

More tips from Emergency Management:

• If you ever encounter flood waters, never attempt to walk or drive through them.
• Monitor media reports and road closures
• Ask local officials whether your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area. Flood plain maps are available at most town offices or city halls.
• Listen to local and state Public Safety officials and respond to their directives in a prompt manner.
• Know your best flood evacuation routes, potential public shelters, and where to find high ground. In a flash flood, you may need to seek high ground on foot quickly.
• When in doubt, call 911 for assistance.

EAP is ready to support individuals and business leaders. Contact our 24/7 hotline at 866-660-9533 or fill out our online appointment request form.