U.S. Extends Aid to Conn. Property Owners for April Storm Damage

The federal government has extended aid to private property owners to help repair damage caused by a powerful nor’easter in April.

The decision, announced by Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s office, is a reversal of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s initial decision to provide aid to only municipal governments and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield and Litchfield counties.

The governor successfully appealed that ruling.

“This is a huge victory for Connecticut residents whose homes and businesses were damaged by this exceptionally severe storm,” Rell said. “I toured the state in the days after the storm and saw the damage it caused it was clearly some of the worst flooding our state has seen in more than 20 years and I was frankly surprised that FEMA rejected our initial application for individual assistance.”

In its latest ruling, FEMA has extended individual assistance to Fairfield, Litchfield, Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex, Windham and New London counties.

The April 15 storm dumped as much of 8 inches of rain and caused an estimated $43 million in damage. It damaged 179 businesses and more than 2,400 homes statewide, state officials said. Government costs associated with the storm and its aftermath total $12 million, and private losses were estimated at more than $31.2 million.

Roads were swamped and homes flooded. Bridges also were damaged and rail service on the Danbury Metro-North line was interrupted. More than 44,000 customers lost power.

Rell said details of how to apply for assistance will be announced in the next few days.