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STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2010
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Contact: 860-524-7313
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Governor Rell Asks FEMA for More Time to
Collect Data on June Twister in Bridgeport
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for another 30 days to continue collecting information about damage from a tornado that struck Fairfield County on June 24, in part because damage reports are continuing to come in.
“The tornado that ripped through Bridgeport and the extraordinary storms that battered the surrounding area caused major damage – and they struck in a part of our state that is still working to clean up from the twin nor’easters that we saw in March,” Governor Rell said. “The March storms, of course, resulted in a Presidential Disaster Declaration and associated federal aid for large portions of Connecticut. The June 24 tornado and thunderstorms may qualify as another disaster-level event, but we need to make sure we have all the information required before making our application to FEMA.
“I am confident federal officials will understand the unusual circumstances,” the Governor said. “Joint teams of state and federal officials have been in the field for several days and we have been working with municipal officials and affected homeowners to gather all the information we can about property damage and other effects. If there is any possibility of getting aid for affected homeowners and businesses, I am determined to explore it to its fullest.”
The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down June 24 around 2:20 p.m. in the area of East Main, Nichols and Cedar streets in Bridgeport. The twister traveled in an east-northeast direction, cutting a swath about 100 yards wide and two-tenths of a mile long. The following day, Governor Rell formally asked FEMA to begin a damage assessment process.
In April, President Obama approved Governor Rell’s request for a disaster declaration in response to severe storms that struck on March 12-14 and March 29-31. The declaration initially allowed financial assistance to the state and municipal governments in three counties: Fairfield, Middlesex and New London. After an appeal spearheaded by the Governor, the declaration was expanded to include federal aid to individuals in Fairfield, Middlesex, New London, New Haven and Windham counties.