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2023 Vermont Flood Response

 

Beginning on July 09, a slow-moving weather system brought significant amounts of rain to the State of Vermont. As a result, many parts of the state experienced catastrophic flooding.  On July 11, President Biden approved an Emergency Declaration for Vermont.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assigned EPA mission assignments support the emergency response.  EPA is working hand in hand with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) on the response.   

EPA Region 1 activated its regional emergency operations center (REOC) and an incident management team (IMT) to oversee the deployments of EPA staff to the field.  Teams were deployed to conduct damage assessments at drinking water and waste water facilities as well as releases of oil and hazardous materials and take response actions as necessary in all counties of the state.  EPA has three field teams deployed as part of this response.

Water and Waste-Water Facilities Group:

The Water Group operations includes contacting and visiting drinking water and waste water facilities throughout Vermont and working with their management and local officials to determine their operational status and need for resources to repair and resume normal operations.

Hazardous Materials/Oil Assessment and Response Group:

The operations of the group include public outreach, ongoing assessment of releases from household and commercial oil tanks, and remediation of oil releases/recovery of oily wastewater.  EPA and VTDEC are working with local officials, businesses, and residents to identify areas in need of cleanouts. 

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste is considered damaged/unwanted household products, from an incident such as a flood, that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.

EPA set up a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection area in Middlesex, VT, at the former Middlesex Police Barracks.  Residents and business were able to drop off flood-related hazardous materials as part of flood cleanout.  Collection at this location ran from August 2nd – 12th.

A total 12 household hazardous waste staging areas were set up; the main one in Middlesex, and 11 satellite areas located in the municipalities of Barton, Barre, Berlin, Chelsea, Jeffersonville, Cabot, Hardwick, Montpelier, South Royalton, and Jamaica.

 

Additional Recyclable Collection Center (ARCC) Response Group:

The third field team deployed to the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD) Additional Recyclables Collection Center (ARCC) facility in Barre, VT. Collection of non-hazardous sediment, has been completed and is being prepared for transportation and disposal (T&D).  Prior to T&D coordination, samples of the materials were being taken and analyzed to ensure appropriate disposal.