CT Delegation Backs Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON – The Connecticut Congressional delegation Monday sent a letter to President Barack Obama supporting Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s request for a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Connecticut.

“In response to the storm, Governor Malloy declared a State of Emergency,” the letter says.  The Connecticut National Guard, Community Emergency Response Teams, the Civil Air Patrol, a Medical Reserve Corps Team, and Connecticut’s Urban Search and Rescue team have been activated to fulfill missions from sheltering to preparing warming stations.  In addition, thirty-seven municipalities have opened their Emergency Operations Centers…The power companies project that complete restoration will take a week or more.”

The full text of the letter follows:

October 31, 2011 

The Honorable Barack Obama
The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We are writing today to strongly support Connecticut’s request for an emergency declaration.  The state has suffered enormous damages from the snow storm which tore through Connecticut beginning on October 29, 2011. 

Weather reports indicate that up to twenty inches of snow fell in parts of the state causing trees to fall and blocking roads and access to towns.  In fact, the Connecticut Department of Transportation estimates that damage caused by downed trees affecting roads is five times greater than the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene.  Additionally, at the time of Governor Malloy’s request, over 740,000 households – a devastating 60% of the State’s households – were without power due to the heavy snow.  The power companies project that complete restoration will take a week or more.  At the time of the request, there were 27 open shelters, a number which the Governor expected to grow.

In response to the storm, Governor Malloy declared a State of Emergency.  The Connecticut National Guard, Community Emergency Response Teams, the Civil Air Patrol, a Medical Reserve Corps Team, and Connecticut’s Urban Search and Rescue team have been activated to fulfill missions from sheltering to preparing warming stations.  In addition, thirty-seven municipalities have opened their Emergency Operations Centers. 

Tropical Storm Irene devastated Connecticut only two months ago and the state has yet to recover from that storm.  Additionally, Connecticut has already been hard hit by the economic downturn.  This storm has only further compounded the difficult situation that the State and its cities and towns face.  We therefore strongly support the Governor’s request for federal assistance.  We appreciate your quick consideration of this request on behalf of the people of Connecticut. 

Sincerely,

Joseph I. Lieberman, United States Senator                                      

Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator

John B. Larson, Member of Congress                                               

Rosa DeLauro, Member of Congress

Christopher S. Murphy, Member of Congress                                   

Joe Courtney, Member of Congress

Jim Himes, Member of Congress

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