Welch to House leaders: Vermont will need major disaster assistance

Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) notified House leaders today that he will be seeking significant disaster relief for Vermont due to the catastrophic damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. It is expected that Congress will need to appropriate additional disaster assistance funds to pay for federal recovery efforts in Vermont and elsewhere.

"Vermont is responding promptly and energetically to repair and rebuild," Welch said in the letter to House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. "But we cannot do it alone. Upon our return to Washington, I will be asking to work closely with you and our House colleagues to provide Vermont with the federal assistance it needs to help itself recover. Vermonters have always supported disaster relief for communities around the country hit hard by natural disasters, and we always will. Now we ask for the support of our colleagues to assist Vermont."

The damage caused by Irene in Vermont is extensive. Some areas received over 11 inches of rain in under eight hours. Over 250 roads are closed and 36 bridges have been heavily damaged. Six state highway bridges have been completely destroyed. Road washouts have left nearly a dozen towns cut off, accessible by emergency vehicles only.

The full text of Welch's letter is copied below. Congress is scheduled to reconvene on September 7th.

Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi,

Tropical storm Irene dumped up to eleven inches of rain on Vermont in eight hours.  It caused unprecedented damage: washed out roads throughout the state; destroyed and damaged bridges, public buildings and homes; and shuttered businesses vital to our economy.

Vermont is responding promptly and energetically to repair and rebuild.  But we cannot do it alone. 

Upon our return to Washington, I will be asking to work closely with you and our House colleagues to provide Vermont with the federal assistance it needs to help itself recover.  Vermonters have always supported disaster relief for communities around the country hit hard by natural disasters, and we always will.

Now we ask for the support of our colleagues to assist Vermont.

Sincerely,

PETER WELCH

Member of Congress