Dear John,

An update on the continuing recovery efforts following the August floods in Connecticut. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that President Biden has modified the Major Disaster Declaration for the August 18th and 19th flooding event to include Public Assistance (PA) for Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven Counties.  

This expanded approval means municipalities within three counties, State government agencies 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.  This may include roads, bridges, rail lines, schools, parks, and other costs associated with emergency response and protective measures.

Previously, the declaration was approved to include Individual Assistance (IA), which makes federal disaster funding available to individuals to cover the costs of uninsured damages to private property and other related emergency actions. That declaration also included a 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 (SBA) loan assistance to eligible businesses and individuals.

More information from Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) will be forthcoming to direct municipalities in the process. My office will continue to share that information as we receive it.

So far 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. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to assist in these recovery efforts.

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress