FEMA Blog

Posted by: Stephen De Blasio Sr., Federal Coordinating Officer

When Tropical Storm Irene blew through Connecticut, FEMA was well prepared to help the state and disaster survivors get their recovery underway as needed. Together with state and local officials, preliminary damage assessments were quickly wrapped up and federal assistance was approved for individuals and business owners in eight counties across the state.


Milford, CT, September 1, 2011 --September 1, 2011--City crews and residents clean up in neighborhoods after Hurricane Irene battered the Connecticut shoreline.

While FEMA’s operations have just moved into our Joint Field Office in Windsor, Ct., the team has already:

• Opened nine disaster recovery centers, providing places for disaster survivors to meet face to face with federal and state experts and ask any questions related to their recovery.
• Dispatched 90 community relations representatives into the field, telling those in hard-hit areas about the importance of applying for disaster assistance.
• Scheduled nine Public Assistance briefings this week, where local officials and community leaders learn more about the recovery resources available to them.
• Had 19 inspectors on the ground, assessing damages and meeting with survivors.
• Prepared English, Spanish and Vietnamese fliers to be distributed to the appropriate communities encouraging affected individuals to apply for assistance.

To date, more than 3,000 residents have registered for disaster assistance. We’ve also been working with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, recognized tribal nations of the state, as recovery efforts continue.


East Haven, CT, September 3, 2011 --FEMA Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Steve DeBlasio talks to local residents about the process for applying for federal assistance at a Help Fair organized by the city, held at East Haven High School. The state will now be receiving federal assistance due to the President declaring a major disaster declaration due to the impact of Hurricane Irene.

People in Connecticut’s eight counties are now applying for assistance that may cover expenses such as:

• lodging because of temporary relocation during the flooding,
• repairs done to homes damaged by Irene and
• transportation costs such as renting a car because a household’s personal car was flooded by the storm.

All along the way, officials have not only toured storm damaged communities but met with storm survivors. Immediately after the storm struck, FEMA Deputy Administrator Serino toured the state and early last week Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro and Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and other elected officials toured areas affected by Tropical Storm Irene and visited with survivors.

For more updates on ongoing recovery efforts in Connecticut, visit the disaster page.


East Haven, CT, September 5, 2011 --Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, (blue shirt) talks with local residents. Napolitano was joined by members of the Congressional delegation as well as State and Local Elected Officials. Governor Malloy, is to left of Napolitano. Also picutred are US Senator Richard Blumentahal, left, US Senator Joseph Lieberman, center, and US Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and local first responders.