FEMA Aid in Connecticut Nears $4 Million 

Residents are recovering from April storms

Release Date: July 16, 2007
Release Number: 1700-033

» More Information on Connecticut Severe Storms and Flooding

WINDSOR, Conn. -- Three months after the April 15 nor’easter struck Connecticut and produced two weeks of flooding, $3.9 million have flowed to residents of the state to help Connecticut recover from the storm and subsequent flooding. The money is the result of a partnership of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

"Homeowners, renters and business owners in the state are receiving grants and low interest loans to restore their property," said Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Parker of FEMA in a joint announcement. "Communities and governmental agencies are receiving 75 percent federally-funded grants to reimburse infrastructure losses and emergency response costs. Federal and state cooperation has produced a thorough and efficient recovery effort."

The money comes from three categories of essential assistance:

Individuals and families affected by recent flooding may register for assistance through FEMA's toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.fema.gov. Recovery specialists are available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Specialists can assist you with the registration process, provide information about assistance programs and check on the status of your application.

FEMA Assistance to Individuals and Households

A June 13 presidential declaration for Individual Assistance made FEMA's programs available to residents of Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties. Here is a summary of programs assisting individuals and households in Connecticut through mid-July:

City Hall
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810

Norwalk Armory
290 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850

The Greenwich DRC is open through Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m.
West Greenwich Civic Center
449 Pemberwick Road
Greenwich, CT 06831

The Torrington DRC is open through Friday, July 20 at 6 p.m.
Torrington Fire Station
111 Water Street
Torrington, CT 06790

FEMA Assistance to Local Governments

Many local government agencies are benefiting from the federal and state partnership in Connecticut. The FEMA Public Assistance program underway in Fairfield and Litchfield counties is geared to assist state and local government agencies and private, non profit organizations that serve a public purpose. FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding to reimburse eligible projects.

Through Saturday, FEMA received 140 requests for funding to reimburse the repair of damaged infrastructure and to reimburse public agencies for unplanned expenses incurred during the April 15-16 storm. FEMA has obligated funding for 80 of these projects totaling $1,188,208. The remaining projects are under review.

Small Business Administration Services

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $1 million in disaster loan assistance in Connecticut as a result of the April storm. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.

SBA issued 1,677 home loan applications and 247 business loan applications through Sunday, July 15. The agency has approved $976,400 in home loans and $40,100 in business loans for a total of more than $1 million to repair losses to property and business inventory. Forty-three applications are pending.

The SBA application is an important step in the recovery process for many Connecticut residents who must complete and send in the SBA loan application to become eligible for FEMA grants and other assistance. "Whether it is through the SBA or other agencies, we want victims in declared disasters to get all the federal assistance possible to help them in the recovery process," said Frank Skaggs, Director of the SBA Field Operations Center East.

"When disaster victims fail to return a completed SBA disaster loan application, they may very well disqualify themselves from possible FEMA grant assistance," said Skaggs. "We strongly encourage disaster victims to turn in their completed SBA loan application immediately. By doing so, they may get financial assistance in the form of an SBA loan, a FEMA grant, or other assistance." 

Because SBA tailors the repayment of each disaster loan to the borrower’s financial capability, unnecessary interest subsidies paid by the taxpayers are avoided.  Moreover, providing disaster assistance in the form of a loan rather than a grant, avoids creating an incentive for property owners to underinsure against risk.  Disaster loans require borrowers to maintain appropriate hazard and flood insurance coverage, thereby reducing the need for future disaster assistance.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Centers Available

At SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in New Haven, Simsbury and Waterbury, representatives are available to answer questions and help individuals complete their low-interest loan applications.  These DLOCs are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice:

Gateway Community College
60 Sergeant Drive
New Haven, CT  06511

Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT  06070

Chase Building
236 Grand St. (2nd Fl.)
Waterbury, CT  06702

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Jul-2007 11:00:01