May 13, 2007   LIEBERMAN COMMENTS ON AWARD OF PARTIAL FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF FEMA Awards Aid to Two of Five Counties Affected by Devastating Nor'easter   WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., expressed disappointment Sunday with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s award of disaster funds to just two of five Connecticut counties damaged by a devastating nor'easter that hit the region in April. He said he would press FEMA to award disaster aid to the three remaining counties. The Bush Administration informed Lieberman that assistance would be granted for clean up and repairs in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. Governor Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Congressional delegation had also requested assistance for Hartford, New Haven, and Middlesex Counties. “The storm had a major impact on Connecticut residents, businesses, and state and local government property,” Lieberman said. “I am pleased FEMA has agreed to provide assistance to two Connecticut counties. But its failure to aid the three others affected does not take into account the magnitude of the state’s losses and the inability of the state and local governments to pay for them. I will continue to fight to get the remaining three counties added to FEMA’s disaster declaration.” The April storm unleashed heavy rain, frozen precipitation, high winds, and coastal, riverine and urban flooding beginning on April 15, 2007, in the five counties. The nor'easter caused flooding along the Farmington, Housatonic and Connecticut rivers for several days. In a preliminary damage assessment, the Governor’s office had estimated flooding damage to over 2,406 residential units and more than 179 businesses. Private sector losses were estimated at over $31 million and public sector damages were estimated at close to $12 million. Lieberman, and the entire Connecticut delegation, in a letter dated May 1, 2007, had asked President Bush and FEMA’s regional director to grant the state's request for federal assistance for the five Connecticut counties. -30-   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 May 2007 Press Releases   May 22 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS SEEK ASSURANCE ON FEMA’S HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS   May 17 - LIEBERMAN HAILS INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUNDING IN FY 08 BUDGET RESOLUTION   May 15 - LIEBERMAN HEARS ARGUMENTS FOR GRANTING D.C. RESIDENTS VOTING RIGHTS IN THE HOUSE   May 15 - LIEBERMAN REQUESTS GAO ASSESSMENT OF RADIATION MONITORS TO ANALYZE COST EFFECTIVENESS   May 13 current Press Release   May 11 - SENATORS COLLINS, KYL, AND LIEBERMAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUING CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN FIGHTING TERRORISM   May 10 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce $1.3 Million in Port, Transit Security Funds for Connecticut   May 10 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS EXAMINE USG EFFORTS TO COUNTER VIOLENT ISLAMIC RADICALIZATION   May 9 - LIEBERMAN CITES THWARTED FORT DIX PLOT AS EXAMPLE OF VIOLENT ISLAMIC THREAT USG MUST COUNTER   May 6 - LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON TSA INFORMATION THEFT   May 3 - TERRORISTS USE INTERNET TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, LAUNCH ATTACKS   May 3 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS CALL ON PUBLIC INSURERS TO ANALYZE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING   May 1 - LIEBERMAN, HATCH INTRODUCE DC VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE   May 1 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS SEEK CLARITY ON STANDARDS FOR SHARING SENSITIVE INFORMATION
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