November 4, 2011

GOV. MALLOY: PRESIDENT OBAMA AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL FEMA ASSISTANCE

Governor Will Move Forward With a Major Disaster Declaration To Provide Further Assistance to State, Municipalities

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that President Barack Obama authorized additional FEMA assistance for Connecticut and its cities, towns and tribes, based on the amended application filed by the Governor on Tuesday. The White House notified the Governor's Office of the authorization early this morning.

All eight counties in Connecticut have received Category A (debris removal) and Category B (emergency protective measures, such as overtime, equipment, fuel) assistance for costs incurred during a 72-hour period. The 72-hour period will be chosen by the state after reaching out to city, town and tribe officials to identify in which period most costs were incurred. However, Gov. Malloy is already moving forward with a Major Disaster Declaration, which, if granted, is anticipated to eliminate the need to find a specific 72-hour period.

Under this current declaration, eligible costs will be reimbursed based on a 75-25 split, meaning that FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs, and the state, tribal nations, or municipalities (or certain non-profits) are responsible for 25 percent.

"I appreciate President Obama granting this designation," said Gov. Malloy. "But while this is good news for the state, and our cities and towns, there is much more work to be done. This really is the beginning of our state's recovery from this devastating October storm, and even after power is fully restored, we'll have weeks - and even months - of recovery on an individual and state, city and town basis."

Gov. Malloy is already in the process of preparing a Major Disaster Declaration, which will include damage assessments from all 169 cities and towns. The Preliminary Damage Assessments will begin on Monday. The PDA estimates are required by FEMA to show that statewide and county thresholds will be met for Public Assistance.

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For Immediate Release: November 4, 2011

Contact: Colleen Flanagan

Colleen.Flanagan@ct.gov

860-524-7308 (office)
860-770-8090 (cell)

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy