Murphy, Congressional Delegation, Governor Lamont Announce FEMA Amends Major Disaster Declaration For August Storm To Include Public Assistance Program

HARTFORD-U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn-05) joined Governor Ned Lamont on Monday to announce that the major disaster declaration President Joe Biden approved for Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County as a result of the historic rainfall and extreme flooding on August 18, 2024 has been amended to include the governor's request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program.

Approval of this program means that municipal governments within those three counties, as well as Connecticut state government and certain nonprofit organizations, are now eligible to apply for federal reimbursement of 75% of the costs associated with repairing and rebuilding uninsured damage to public infrastructure caused by the storm - such as roads, bridges, rail lines, schools, parks, and other facilities - and the costs associated with their emergency response and protective measures.

Previously, the declaration was approved to include the Individual Assistance Program - which makes federal disaster funding available to individuals to cover the costs of uninsured damage to private property and other related emergency actions - and the Hazard Mitigation Program, which supports state and local governments with the costs of taking actions that can reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural disasters. The initial declaration also brought Small Business Administration loan assistance to eligible businesses and individuals.

In his application to FEMA, Governor Lamont estimated that state and local governments in these counties experienced roughly $14.3 million in damage to public infrastructure from this storm, with much of the damage impacting the transportation system, such as state and local roads and bridges, as well as the Waterbury Branch Line of Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line.

"This announcement is good news for so many in Connecticut still recovering from the devastation caused by the August flooding. No amount of money will undo the damage done, but these federal dollars will help ease the burden placed on our communities and provide assistance to towns working to restore roads, bridges, rail and other essential infrastructure across our state. I'm grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and Governor Lamont for their swift action and dedication to supporting our communities during this challenging time," said Murphy.

"Approval of this program will be a relief to many towns that experienced significant damage to public infrastructure from this storm, especially to roads and bridges that were completely destroyed and needed swift rebuilding to ensure that residents who live in these areas have access to critical routes. The Biden-Harris administration has been extremely helpful in their response to this unprecedented flooding event, and I thank FEMA and the Small Business Administration for their on-the-ground actions in Connecticut to help our residents and businesses recover. I also thank the members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation for helping our state secure this declaration and the associated resources it provides," said Lamont.

"We've been holding our breath for this decision. In my multiple visits to towns hard hit by catastrophic flooding, I've seen the huge costs and consequences of rebuilding that such historic federal aid will support. It will enable public assets like roads and bridges to be rebuilt - better and stronger for the new weather normal - sparing Connecticut taxpayers most of the fiscal burden. It's a day well worth the wait. Our state will be more resilient with less financial burden," said Blumenthal.

"The inclusion of the Public Assistance Program in this disaster declaration is a crucial step in helping Connecticut communities recover and rebuild. With this, local governments can now access federal support to cover the costs of restoring essential public infrastructure damaged by the storm. Roads, bridges, and other critical public infrastructure connect us to our workplaces, schools, and our families. Rebuilding them is key to our recovery. This support from FEMA means that our towns won't have to bear the financial strain alone. I will continue to fight to ensure our communities receive the resources they need to recover," said DeLauro.

"So many in southwest Connecticut are still rebuilding from August's devastating flooding. I was glad to help bring federal disaster relief to repair the damage and support families in need of assistance, and I'm thrilled that the program has been expanded to offer additional aid without raising property taxes. With this change, our towns will have access to the resources they need to restore roads, bridges, and other critical public infrastructure that Connecticut's families depend on. Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration, Governor Lamont, and my Congressional colleagues for their continued efforts to support this disaster recovery effort," said Himes.

"Amending the major disaster declaration will unlock federal reimbursement resources for municipalities, state government and eligible nonprofits - reducing the financial burden in addition to restoring critical infrastructure. When Connecticut was impacted by record flooding, we received swift support from our federal partners. I remain grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for the continued support our residents, businesses, and communities have received to rebuild and recover," said Hayes.

So far under this declaration, FEMA has approved more than $8 million in federal disaster assistance to Connecticut residents through the Individual Assistance Program. The deadline for residents to apply for the Individual Assistance Program is November 19, 2024.

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