Governor Scott Appeals Federal Rejection of Flood Disaster Aid

Additional damage discovered after the initial submission strengthens the case for federal assistance. The appeal also emphasizes the cumulative economic toll on Vermont communities.

Appeal Seeks to Reverse Denial

Governor Phil Scott has filed a formal appeal after President Trump denied Vermont’s request for a federal disaster declaration stemming from severe flooding on July 10, 2025.

The appeal seeks to reverse the administration’s decision and secure Federal Emergency Management Agency funding that would reimburse communities in Caledonia and Essex counties for 75 percent of their infrastructure repair costs. According to the governor’s office, federal assessors documented more than $1.8 million in statewide damages from the storm, which exceeded the $1.2 million threshold required to qualify for a Public Assistance disaster declaration.

Extent of the Damage

The town of Burke alone faces between $400,000 and $500,000 in public infrastructure damage. The rural town of Sutton sustained over $1 million in damage when the July 10 rainstorm washed out roads and bridges.

Governor Scott stated that additional damage discovered after the initial submission strengthens the case for federal assistance. The appeal also emphasizes the cumulative economic toll on Vermont communities that have experienced catastrophic flooding three years running.

Third Consecutive July 10 Flood

The July 10 floods have now struck Vermont on the same date in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with the state’s chief recovery officer calling the timing “a slap in the face” for residents still grappling with trauma and physical losses from prior years. The floods of 2023 and 2024 caused an estimated $1 billion in damage statewide, and up to 200 of Vermont’s 247 municipalities reported flooding during that period.

Administration’s Rationale

When the Trump administration initially rejected Vermont’s request, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson characterized the decision as non-political, stating that FEMA determined the damage “was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments to recover.”

What’s at Stake

Without federal assistance, affected municipalities may need to pass repair costs on to local taxpayers. A recent Pew Charitable Trusts analysis identified Vermont as among the states most vulnerable to federal disaster funding cuts.

FEMA will review the appeal before forwarding a recommendation to President Trump, who will make the final decision on whether to approve or deny the request.