Dear John,

Our communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of the severe rainfall and flooding that occurred on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Federal, State, and local agencies continue to work to clean up, rebuild, and identify additional ways to support those impacted.

Last week, I hosted storm damage briefings in Danbury and Southbury. Officials from the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Red Cross and leaders from impacted towns in the Fifth District came together to discuss the next phase of the federal assistance process.

On Monday, I joined Governor Lamont as he announced $5 million in state grant funding for small businesses damaged by the storm. Starting September 3, 2024, small businesses will be able to apply for grants up to $25,000 to supplement rebuilding costs.

Small businesses impacted by the storm may email [email protected] for more information. 

On Wednesday, I attended a listening session in Southbury with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmers and producers who experienced damage. There, USDA outlined resources available to those harmed by the extreme flooding, including the USDA Disaster Assistance Recovery Tool, which helps identify disaster relief programs they may qualify for.

I also joined Senator Blumenthal for a visit to residents in Middlebury whose homes were damaged by the storm. The extreme weather touched every part of our community, and the work to rebuild has only begun.

This week, officials from FEMA and SBA will continue to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments that will determine future aid for Connecticut. On Wednesday, FEMA began Preliminary Damage Assessments for Individual Assistance with site visits to communities in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. As updates are provided, I will be sure to communicate that information.

DEMHS continues to ask that damages from the storm be reported to local Emergency Management Directors in addition to the online Residential and Business Damage Assessment Form. This self-reporting link helps streamline damage collection and will assist Federal officials in determining whether the threshold for individual aid from FEMA has been reached.

To submit a survey please click here.

Finally, as roads remain closed, I encourage you to remain alert when traveling. Please avoid traveling over damaged roads and obey tape, cones, signs, and other barriers.

For real time updates on road closures, please visit ctroads.org.

I am extremely grateful to the network of first responders, law enforcement, emergency management personnel, and officials at all levels of government for their work to keep us safe and help rebuild from this storm. As always, my office is here if you need assistance or have any questions on the federal assistance process.

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress