CT DELEGATION BACKS DISASTER REQUEST

WASHINGTON – As Hurricane Sandy churns northward, the Connecticut Congressional delegation wrote to President Obama Sunday in support of Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s request for an emergency declaration for the entire state of Connecticut. “The storm's devastation is expected to be major and potentially catastrophic,” the delegation wrote in its letter. “To fill gaps in the State and local resources, federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen the threat posed by this very dangerous storm.”

The full text of the letter follows:

October 28, 2012 The Honorable Barack Obama The President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We are writing today to strongly support Connecticut’s request for an emergency declaration as it prepares for Hurricane Sandy, a very large and dangerous hybrid storm whose devastating effects are expected to be felt as early as tomorrow. Forecasts indicate that the State will suffer from significant storm surge in the range of 6 to 11 feet with an additional 6 to 10 foot waves above the surge. This will be in addition to high winds and rainfall. The storm's devastation is expected to be major and potentially catastrophic.

In response to the oncoming storm, Governor Malloy directed the activation of the State Emergency Plan, activated the State Emergency Operations Center, and declared a state of civil preparedness emergency. Evacuations are being ordered that will affect approximately 223,000 individuals along the Connecticut shoreline, with over 140,000 individuals from Greenwich to East Haven. In addition, Governor Malloy activated the State’s pre-executed disaster removal and monitoring contracts, and State agencies have been aggressively engaged in wide ranging storm preparedness activities such as preparing the volunteer Urban Search and Rescue Team, preparing to evacuate 19 nursing homes along the coast, staging assets, and activating emergency operations centers.

A storm with this degree of catastrophic potential is, as certified by Governor Malloy, of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and local governments. To fill gaps in the State and local resources, federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen the threat posed by this very dangerous storm.

The State of Connecticut is still recovering from three major disasters that hit Connecticut just last year. This storm will only further compound the difficult situation that the State and its cities and towns face. We therefore strongly support the Governor’s request for federal assistance and seek your expeditious consideration and approval of this urgent request on behalf of the people of Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Joseph I. Lieberman, United States Senator

Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator

John B. Larson, Member of Congress

Rosa DeLauro, Member of Congress

Christopher S. Murphy, Member of Congress

Joe Courtney, Member of Congress

Jim Himes, Member of Congress

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