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Less than a day after Gov. M. Jodi Rell filed her appeal of President Obamas denial of aid to individuals after the March thunderstorms, the president has reversed his decision. Federal funds will be distributed to homeowners, renters and businesses in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London and Windham counties who were damaged by the Noreasters that hit the state March 12-14 and 29-31.
This is wonderful news and it is exactly the right decision, Rell said. The president has previously approved aid for municipal governments in Fairfield, Middlesex, and New London counties last month, but denied aid to individuals. Since then, Rell asked those affected by the storm to report damage to the states Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and as a result the estimated number of affected homes nearly doubled. The state originally estimated more than $5 million worth of damage to 1,315 homes across the state. With the new data, the DEMHS now says that 2,498 homes will need $16.5 million in repairs.
The response to our request for people to report damage to the state was tremendous, and I want to thank the people who helped us make this appeal stronger, Rell said. Connecticut residents are resilient people but nature is a force to be reckoned with and sometimes even the strongest need help. The damage from flooding, the week-long power outages and the high winds and downed trees was astonishing.
The exact amount of funding available to individuals is not yet known. Homeowners, renters and businesses can apply for aid online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The hotline is open seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays and from 6:30 a.m. until midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.
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