Connecticut State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

August 18 2024 Severe Flooding Disaster Recovery Resource Center

REMINDER: The deadline to file for FEMA Individual Assistance is November 19, 2024
Governor Lamont Announces President Biden Approved Request for a Major Disaster Declaration due to August Severe Flooding in Western Connecticut - Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield Counties

On August 18th and 19th, the State of Connecticut experienced historic rainfall in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties that resulted in severe flooding and damages to residences and businesses in multiple towns. On August 19, 2024, at 12:45PM, Governor Ned Lamont, signed a State of Civil Preparedness Emergency regarding the extensive and severe flooding. Governor Lamont submitted a request to President Joe Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield Counties in response to the extreme flooding from the historic rainfall that portions of Connecticut received earlier this week. This was approved on August 21st, opening up some federal assistance as Connecticut continued to assess the damage.

On September 9, 2024, Governor Lamont formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration for assistance, including FEMA's Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Programs. On September 20, 2024, Governor Lamont announced that President Biden approved the state's request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The declaration includes the availability of Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration programs for residents and businesses in the declared counties. The request for Public Assistance is still pending.  

DEMHS is coordinating the recovery operations and working with local, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations damage assessments, disaster recovery coordination, and other missions related to this disaster. 

Funding and Assistance Programs:

FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration:

On Friday, September 20, 2024, Governor Lamont announced that President Biden approved the request for a Major Disaster declaration for Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield counties. The Major Disaster Declaration makes funding available to residents and businesses affected by the flooding in the specified counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Funding programs include FEMA's Individual Assistance and the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster assistance loan programs. 

Residents who sustained damages in Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance by:

The deadline to file for FEMA assistance is November 19, 2024.

Disaster Recovery Center

Southbury Town Hall
501 Main Street S
Southbury, CT 06488

Opening: Thursday, November 7, at 8 am

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

 

Residents and businesses can apply for SBA assistance:

  • Online at Disasterassistance.gov
  • Through the My SBA Loan Portal
  • Visiting a Business Recovery Center (BRC). Walk-ins welcome or schedule an appointment here. 

     Business Recovery Center - Fairfield County  Business Recovery Center - New Haven County
     Monroe Police Department
    7 Fan Hill Road
    Monroe, CT 06468

    Opening: Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1 pm to 6 pm

    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
    Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm
    Closed: Sunday    		  Oxford Town Hall
    486 Oxford Rd
    Oxford, CT 06478

    Opening: Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1 p. to 6 pm

    Hours: Monday - Friday - 8 am to 6 pm
    Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm
    Closed: Sunday
  • The deadline to file for physical damage is November 19, 2024
  • The deadline to file for economic injury is June 20, 2025
  • Hartford and Middlesex counties are also eligible for SBA assistance, for economic injury loans only. 

 

Additional Resources:

Resources:

State Information and Services
  • Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
    • Continuing to connect local municipalities and with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) that may have programs and services to support disaster survivors.
    • Flood victims are encouraged to reach out to Crisis Cleanup by calling 203-392-1752 if victims need assistance with muck out, debris removal or tree removal from the storm. All services are free and vetted. More information can be found on this flyer ---- English ---- Spanish
    • DEMHS continues to post recovery information and resources on its X page, for more information follow us for up to the minute information: CT Emergency Management & Homeland Security (@CTDEMHS) / X
  • Department of Transportation
    • DOT continues to repair and reopen roads that were damaged, destroyed, or impassable due to the storm. For up to date information on the road closures, visit Connecticut Traffic, Live Traffic Reports & Traffic Map | CTroads and Storm Response 2024 Road Status Interactive Map (arcgis.com) for information on current road closures. 
    • In total, a reported 126 catch basins have been cleaned, 449 shoulders and washouts repaired, 31 culverts and pipes cleared, and 600 cubic yards of debris representing 1.2 million lbs. of debris removed since the beginning of this event.
    • CTDOT is submitting Initial Damage Assessment to the Federal Highway Administration today, kickstarting the process for federal aid to repair/replace bridges and roads.
    • The MTA Metro-North Waterbury Line remains closed, with work along the Beacon Falls damaged segment ongoing with substantial completion anticipated in mid-September. Work along the Seymour damaged segment is significant and will require more time to complete. Supplemental bus service is currently operational along the Waterbury Line. A full timeline for restoration of rail service is “To Be Determined”.

  • CT Department of Economic and Community Development micro-grant for small businesses

  • Agriculture Disaster Relief Resources

  • Department of Consumer Protection
    • DCP provides information about consumer protection for post-storm clean up. More information can be found here: DCP News and Alerts
  • Department of Labor
    • DOL has created a dedicated webpage for recovery assistance for flood victims. For more information see here:Department of Labor Assistance for Flood Victims
    • For businesses that are closed temporarily/permanently, are employees eligible for UI?
      • DOL must review each claim application for a determination of eligibility.
      • CTDOL’s main Unemployment Benefits and Claim Services page for comprehensive information, questions and answers about the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Go to ReEmployCT Benefit Filers/Claimant Information to apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
      • Additionally, the DOL Rapid Response Unit is helping affected workers including those in the towns of Oxford, Newtown, and Southbury (DOL reached out to them last week)--workers and self-employed individuals whose businesses are closed due to the storms and are eligible as Dislocated Workers under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).  If you have specific contacts/leads, DOL is happy to reach out to all who need assistance
  • Department of Insurance
    • A storm flood insurance fact sheet and resource guide has been compiled to assist storm survivors and businesses with information about insurance. In this fact sheet, the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) provides general homeowner and commercial insurance coverage information and describes the claim process under a typical homeowners policy. 
  • Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Federal Programs and Resources

More information and recovery resources will be posted here as they become available.