Politics & Government

Obama Issues Connecticut Disaster Declaration

Those who suffered damage can apply for federal aid.

President Barack Obama has declared Connecticut a disaster area in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, clearing the way for those who suffered damages in the storm to apply for federal relief aid. The declaration also enables state and local governments, individuals and non-profits to apply for federal relief funding.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Obama signed the declaration late Friday night. Malloy has worked for the past week with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure the declaration, touring the state with FEMA officials this past week and asking residents to report storm damage to the state’s information line.

He said FEMA officials canvassed the entire state this week and his office will continue to press for additional federal assistance.

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"I'd like to thank the President and FEMA, particularly those workers who have been embedded with us at the Emergency Operations Center for the better part of a week,” Malloy said in a prepared statement today. “We were able to quickly dispatch teams of federal, state and local workers after the storm to evaluate the damage and make our case for this declaration. By the end of the day today, FEMA teams will have been to all 169 cities and towns in the state, and we will continue to press for public assistance in the remaining three counties in the state. This storm was unprecedented in terms of the amount and scope of damage, and I'm pleased the President has agreed and made available these federal funds and services."

Under the federal disaster declaration all eight of the state’s counties qualify for federal Individual Assistance, which can provide aid to individuals and households. All eight counties have also qualified for individual financial and direct assistance (repairs, temporary housing). Malloy said he would continue to press for food coupon Individual Assistance.

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All eight counties also have qualified for the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards, and five counties have qualified for Public Assistance, which provides aid for emergency work and the repair of replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. The five counties that have qualified for that latter aid are Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London.

Malloy said he and emergency operations leaders plan to press for public assistance in the remaining three counties.


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