FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2025

HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) Commissioner Andrew N. Mais announced the formal acceptance of the final report and recommendations of the Severe Weather Mitigation and Resiliency Advisory Council. The report outlines a detailed framework for strengthening the state’s resilience to increasing weather-related risks and was formally presented to the Commissioner during the Advisory Council’s final meeting on June 27.

Established this past October, the Advisory Council brought together a cross-sector group of public, private, nonprofit, and academic leaders to develop actionable recommendations that reduce risk and protect Connecticut residents, homes, and businesses from the impacts of severe weather.

“I want to thank the Advisory Council members for their work, commitment, and collaboration,” said Commissioner Mais. “Connecticut is already seeing the effects of more intense and frequent storms, and this report gives us a clear and thoughtful roadmap to help communities better prepare, adapt, and recover. I look forward to moving this important work forward.”

The final report outlines immediate steps Connecticut can take as well as long-term solutions to strengthen resilience over time.

Key Recommendations Include:

• Launching a pilot program to support resilient home upgrades, including FORTIFIED roof retrofits in high-risk areas.
• Building partnerships with organizations to expand mitigation access.
• Creating a statewide education and outreach campaign to improve insurance literacy and consumer awareness.
• Exploring future incentives for homeowners, such as tax credits and catastrophe savings accounts.
• Establishing training programs and contractor pipelines to support a growing resiliency workforce.

Advisory Council Co-Chairs Sonja Larkin-Thorn and Robert Hotaling praised the collaboration and commitment of the group.

“This report reflects real partnership, experiences, and expertise of so many different stakeholders,” said Larkin-Thorne. “These recommendations will help protect vulnerable populations and ensure Connecticut is ready for the future.”

“Presenting this plan fills me with immense pride, not just as co-chair, but as someone who understands firsthand the transformative power of strategic financing and accessible solutions,” added Hotaling. “Having come from a lower-income background and knowing what it takes to build from the ground up, I believe this forward-looking blueprint is more than just practical recommendations; it’s a pathway to equitable protection and personal empowerment for every resident and small business across our great state. This is about ensuring that proactive funding and robust mitigation efforts fortify our communities, fostering resilience that truly makes a difference in people’s lives.”

The full report is available here. The Department will work closely with state agencies, community leaders, and industry partners to implement recommendations and ensure Connecticut continues to lead on climate resilience.

For more information about the Advisory Council and its initiatives, please visit the Advisory Council’s website.

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Contact:
Mary Quinn
Communications Director
Mary.Quinn@ct.gov
(959) 529-4904