President Approves Emergency Assistance For Most Of Vermont

(Host) President Obama has approved emergency assistance for most of Vermont to begin the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene's floods.

Governor Peter Shumlin says public assistance has been approved for every county except Grand Isle, which was not damaged in this round of flooding.

Public assistance covers 75% of the cost of fixing damage to roads, bridges and other public property.

The president has also approved private assistance in four counties. They're Washington, Windsor, Rutland and Chittenden. They're the first four counties to complete the required paperwork.

Governor Shumlin says assistance will be coming for other counties as soon as the documentation is complete.

Private assistance allows private property owners to qualify for up to $34,000 dollars in help.