Feds approve relief for May tornadoes
Towns and cities affected by downed trees and other damage from the surprise May 15 tornadoes that struck northern sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties will be able to receive financial assistance.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s request to have the region declared a federal disaster area was approved, President Donald Trump announced Monday from the White House.
Some non-profit agencies will be allowed to access aid, along with cities, towns and the state. The funding will come as 75 percent reimbursements for the costs of the storm cleanup, which was estimated at nearly $13 million.
While the request for assistance to individual property owners remains under review, municipalities and state agencies will be eligible for the federal aid.
“These storms had a devastating impact,
causing significant damage that is still being cleaned up and repaired months later,” Malloy said in a statement. “I thank the federal government for continuing to be a partner in these efforts.”
Malloy said all of Connecticut’s eight counties, as well as the tribal nations, may also apply for aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce or prevent risks to property and life from natural hazards.
Rudy Marconi, first selectman of Ridgefield, said he expects to get about $112,000 to cover some of the costs of the cleanup, including downed trees and debris.
Brookfield will be eligible for about $2.8 million.
Other towns that were severely hit include Newtown and New Fairfield. Towns and cities will also be eligible for the costs of first responders, including emergency personal and public works.
The total amount of available aid is openended, state public-safety officials said.
Greg Dembowski, Brookfield’s FEMA coordinator, was thrilled the town will earn the funding. In Brookfield, more than 90 percent of residents and businesses lost power and nearly 550 homes were damaged.
“The disaster was the worst natural disaster in the history of Brookfield,” he said.
The town’s preliminary report to the state estimated $4.6 million in damages to public property, with the town expecting to receive about $2.6 million from FEMA, First Selectman Steve Dunn said.
The town has spent almost all the $1.7 million it had approved to repair damage and clean debris for roads and trails, but still has more work to do.
“This (grant) is going to allow us to move forward, replenish our general fund and hopefully be able to do some more cleanup,” Dunn said.