New York will aid Vermont in recovery efforts following floods that occurred between July 7 and July 12. New York has deployed nine engineers from the New York Power Authority and the Department of Environmental Conservation to Montpelier, Vermont to assist in performing dam safety evaluations throughout the state. The engineers will perform expedited visual safety inspections on non-hydroelectric and non-federally licensed dams. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is coordinating additional incoming requests for assistance from Vermont and State agency partners stand ready to provide resources as necessary.
New York responded to Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s request for assistance under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national disaster relief system that allows states to send personnel, equipment, and commodities to assist with response and recovery efforts in other states. New York Power Authority (NYPA) engineers were deployed on Sunday and will remain until Saturday. Members of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s dam safety team were deployed to Montpelier on Wednesday and will remain in Vermont for two weeks.
The dam inspections will prioritize dams that have the potential to impact communities if they were to fail. There are more than 400 dams located within Vermont that impound enough water to pose a risk should the dam fail.
“Embracing the responsibility of being a good neighbor is what defines New Yorkers,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Following historic flooding that has had catastrophic effects on Vermont communities, I am directing employees from the New York Power Authority and Department of Environmental Conservation to assist in safety inspections throughout the State of Vermont. In times of need, New Yorkers can always be counted on to lend a helping hand.”
