Northeast Kingdom Towns Denied Federal Disaster Relief After Flooding

FEMA rejects Vermont's appeal for aid, leaving local communities to cover cleanup costs.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The town of Burke, Vermont, along with several other Northeast Kingdom communities, will not receive federal disaster relief from FEMA after the agency denied the state's appeal for aid following severe flooding last summer. The denial leaves local governments struggling to cover over $1 million in repair costs, forcing them to delay projects and potentially raise taxes in the future.

Why it matters

The rejection of disaster aid highlights the challenges rural communities face in recovering from extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Without federal assistance, smaller towns must divert limited resources away from other priorities to address storm damage, putting a strain on local budgets and services.

The details

Burke Town Administrator Jim Sullivan said he expected the FEMA denial, noting the town has received federal funding for flood cleanup in previous years. However, this past summer's damage totaled over $300,000, with another $100,000 still needed. Nearby Sutton saw over $1 million in flood damage. State lawmakers say they anticipate similar denials going forward and are exploring ways to provide more state-level support, including "resiliency hubs" and a statewide road fund that towns can access for unexpected storm costs.

  • Last summer's flooding rocked the Northeast Kingdom region.
  • FEMA recently denied Vermont's appeal for disaster relief funding.

The players

Jim Sullivan

The town administrator for Burke, Vermont, who expressed disappointment over FEMA's denial of disaster aid.

Anne Watson

A Vermont state senator who chairs the Natural Resources Committee and is pushing for better long-term planning to help communities prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.

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What they’re saying

“You know, at one of these points, they were going to say, sorry, we are not going to be able to help you on this one.”

— Jim Sullivan, Burke Town Administrator (WCAX)

“I think we could or should anticipate similar such denials.”

— Anne Watson, Vermont State Senator (WCAX)

What’s next

State lawmakers say they are exploring ways to provide more state-level support for communities impacted by extreme weather, including the creation of "resiliency hubs" and a statewide road fund that towns can access for unexpected storm costs.

The takeaway

The denial of federal disaster aid for the Northeast Kingdom highlights the financial strain that climate change-fueled extreme weather events are placing on rural communities. Without access to sufficient resources, these towns must make difficult choices between delaying critical infrastructure projects or raising taxes, underscoring the need for more robust state and federal support systems to help them recover and build resilience.