WCAX

The state has released new estimates on the cost of damages from Tropical Storm Irene and how much of it will have to be paid for by Vermont taxpayers.

Officials now believe the flood waters from Irene caused up to 572-million dollars in damage to state and local roads, bridges and other infrastructure. And if all federal funding comes through that the state could qualify for, state and local governments would have to cover about 98-million dollars of that cost.

The Vermont share is greatly reduced thanks to legislation pushed through recently by Vermont's congressional delegation that waives federal funding limits.