Connecticut Congressional Delegation Urges Agriculture Disaster Designation Following T.S. Elsa

[HARTFORD, CT] – Members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation today sent a letter U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack to urge support for Governor Ned Lamont’s request for Secretarial Disaster Designation for all of Connecticut due to Tropical Storm Elsa.

“As the request indicates, the significant wind and rainfall from Tropical Storm Elsa caused significant damage to our agricultural industry – crop damage exacerbated by subsequent storms and heavy rainfall, resulting in July being the third wettest on record in Connecticut.  More than 500 acres of vegetables and fruits suffered substantial losses,” wrote the delegation members.  

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and signed by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Jahana Hayes (CT-5).

A full copy of the letter is below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We write to urge your approval of Connecticut’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all eight counties within the State of Connecticut due to Tropical Storm Elsa that impacted Connecticut on July 9, 2021.  Growers in our state incurred significant losses and urgently need the assistance provided by this disaster designation.

As the request indicates, the significant wind and rainfall from Tropical Storm Elsa caused significant damage to our agricultural industry – crop damage exacerbated by subsequent storms and heavy rainfall, resulting in July being the third wettest on record in Connecticut.  More than 500 acres of vegetables and fruits suffered substantial losses.   

We urge your expedited approval of this request so our hard hit farmers and growers can obtain financial assistance to overcome the significant losses due to Tropical Storm Elsa. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request.  

Sincerely,

-30-