Flood-Stricken Connecticut Seeks Emergency Assistance from Federal Agencies

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has submitted a request to President Joe Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield , New Haven, and Litchfield counties in response to the extreme flooding that damaged portions of the state last weekend and early this week.

The governor’s submission includes a request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide support for the repairing of dozens of bridges, dams, and other infrastructure, as well as help from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to oil tanks, propane cylinders, vehicles, vessels, and drums that are floating in multiple waterways. Additionally, the governor is seeking assistance from the Federal Highway Administration for numerous destroyed and compromised state roads.

Lamont’s request for a federal emergency declaration is not a request to FEMA for a major disaster declaration to qualify for federal funding to help cover the costs of repairing and rebuilding after the storm. That type of declaration requires the state to provide a detailed accounting of all damage and a cost estimate, a process that takes several weeks to complete. Lamont said his administration is already working with municipalities on that.

Lamont told Biden that the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and other direct federal assistance are needed to provide technical and advisory assistance because the situation is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments necessary to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen the threat of a disaster.

Lamont specifically requested assistance for Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties, while noting that additional severe weather is a major concern as the hurricane season is well underway.

Tri-State Region Shocked as Severe Floods Take 2 Lives, Leave Trail of Destruction

According to the state, up to almost 16 inches of rain fell in 6-8 hours in some locations, amounts significant enough to qualify as a 1,000-year flood in some areas, and 50, 100, 200, and 500 year flood in other areas. The peak rainfall exceeded 3 inches of water per hour, and 7 inches in three hours in a band from Monroe to Oxford. There was also major river flooding of the Housatonic, Little River, and Naugatuck rivers.

The flooding took the lives of two women in Oxford. About 50 campers had to be rescued from Kettletown State Park campground and more than 30 evacuations occurred at Jackson Cove near Zoar Lake.

In Litchfield County at least four towns declared local emergencies due to severe flooding and evacuations. A landslide in Danbury severed a gas main forcing 10 units of a condominium project to be evacuated. Another senior housing apartment complex was severely flooded and compromised requiring 40- 50 people being evacuated and requiring housing. In Oxford, local and state rescue teams helped evacuate residents along the Housatonic River.

Lamont also cited “huge requests of private citizens” due to their homes flooding, businesses being destroyed, and bridges and local roads being washed away.

Monroe experienced structural damage to Route 34 with bridge damage located between Route 111 and the Stevenson Dam. Route 34 was so severely compromised that the Lamont said state engineers cannot yet estimate when it will be open again. Routes 53 and 57 also have of structural integrity issues on the roads and four bridges.

Wilton recommended residents in one part of town evacuate, while Seymour reported sheltering approximately 20 residents during the storm and overnight. Two other towns in the area reported roads that were destroyed. Flood waters significantly affected railroad tracks across the state, closing the Metro North Lines. The Danbury line service was suspended with no alternate transportation available.