Region 1 – More than $1 million in federal assistance has been awarded to the State of Connecticut to help cover costs of the May 15, 2018 severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds that impacted communities in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
In late August 2018, President Trump approved a major disaster declaration triggering the release of federal funds to help communities in Fairfield and New Haven recover from this event. Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been working closely with state and local officials providing federal dollars under FEMA’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs.
The federal grants will assist in the support of first responders who work hard to ensure safety, helps reimburse entities for their costs when clearing downed trees and removing debris from roadways, making repairs to damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and certain private nonprofits that provide community services.
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection works with FEMA during all phases of the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved project. Once a project is obligated by FEMA, the state works with the applicant to finalize the grant an obligate funding.
There are additional projects that have been identified relating to this federal disaster declaration and FEMA and the state will continue to work with eligible applicants within Fairfield and New Haven counties. The timeline for projects being funded may depend on the complexity of the project, collection of supporting documentation by the applicants, environmental laws, regulations and other concerns.
Although FEMA Public Assistance grants go to entities such as state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribal governments, the program is intended to benefit everyone in the affected Connecticut communities.
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FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.