Governor Rell:  State Pursuing Federal Aid

In Wake of Tornado, Violent Storms

Wethersfield, Farmington Among Hardest Hit Areas

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the state is pursuing federal assistance to help property owners affected by the violent weather that swept through the state on Friday and has directed state emergency management officials to begin surveying the damage. The storms produced a narrow, but powerful tornado that destroyed homes in Wethersfield and damaging wind and hail that pulled massive trees down on power lines through much of Farmington.

“The devastation in some of these neighborhoods was absolutely staggering. Fortunately, it was a real miracle that there was no loss of life or serious injuries and for that we can all be grateful,” said Governor Rell, who a toured the tornado-damaged Wethersfield neighborhood on Saturday. “Property owners now have to begin putting their lives back together and my administration will do everything we can to help them.”

The Governor said she has ordered the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to work closely with federal authorities throughout the damage assessments.

“A critical first-step to securing this federal assistance is assessing the impacts upon our communities,” the Governor wrote in a June 29 letter to DEMHS Commissioner James Thomas. “The prompt actions of you and your staff will help begin the work of assisting the families and communities caught in the path of this violent summer weather.”

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Wethersfield, packing winds of about 90 mph. It traveled 1.7 miles in three minutes, uprooting trees and sending them crashing down on houses, cars and power lines. Straight line wind did widespread damage in other parts of central Connecticut.

“I commend the quick response of police, firefighters and workers on the countless tree and utility crews,” Governor Rell said. “They did an outstanding job keeping the public safe, clearing roadways and getting power restored to the thousands left in the dark on Friday.”