Courtney Statement on Federal Disaster Declaration for January Blizzard

NORWICH—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney issued the following statement after President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties, in response to the January 26-28 blizzard earlier this year. Congressman Courtney and his Connecticut delegation colleagues sent a letter to President Obama in support of Governor Malloy’s request for the declaration.

“I am pleased that President Obama has issued a federal disaster declaration for counties in eastern Connecticut that faced blizzard conditions, record-breaking snow totals, and bitter cold this winter,” Courtney said. “With municipal budgets straining to accommodate the near-daily snow removal efforts, and damage to infrastructure resulting from the storms, eastern Connecticut towns need assistance. Thanks to this declaration, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties will have federal resources at their disposal to recover from the January blizzard and ease the pressure on local budgets caused by the brutal winter weather.”

First Selectman George Crouseof Stonington said:

“For small towns like Stonington, it’s very important to have a congressman who cares, and works to help us financially after blizzard conditions sent us into deficit spending to remove snow and protect the public during the snow emergency. We thank FEMA and the efforts of Congressman Courtney to help the town and county secure these funds, which will definitely help us rebound from the excessive cost of snow removal this winter.”

Under the declaration, New London, Tolland and Windham counties are eligible for federally-funded public assistance to offset 75% of eligible costs related to snow removal, repairing and replacing public buildings and roads, and hazard mitigation programs to prevent risk from future storms. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4213

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