DeLauro Announces East Haven to Receive $1.9 million Flood Mitigation Grant

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) announced that East Haven will receive a $1.9 million federal Hazard Mitigation Program Grant, Non Emergency through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to mitigate or remove entirely the likelihood of future flood insurance claims from some coastal and river properties.

"This grant is about preventing problems before they occur. These properties in East Haven have been repeatedly affected by flooding – hurting families and causing costly damage. With this grant, we will take steps to alleviate the problem by raising the properties to a level that will protect them from substantial damage," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "The East Haven Fire Department is to be commended for receiving funds from this competitive grant."

"Flooding has been a long-standing issue in town along the Farm River and the LI Sound. We are grateful to the federal government and our Congresswoman for providing residents of town of East Haven with some relief from this problem," said Mayor April Capone Almon.

"The ability to remove these homes from our list of locations needing immediate assistance is a great benefit to our department," said East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson. "In events that are large scale, such as hurricanes and Nor'easters, which are our most frequent large scale events, our resources are stretched very thin and with outside assistance not expected in the first 72-hours keeping resources available is of primary concern. Between this and the emotional losses of the residents relating to personal items and pets removed from jeopardy, these funds are a significant windfall."

In elevating 14 severe repetitive loss properties in the community, this project means protecting people from personal property loss and anguish, as well as drastically reducing danger to residents and rescuers. Additionally, the federal investment of $1.9 million is estimated to save the National Flood Insurance Program over $4.8 million over the next 30 years. It should also be noted that because Connecticut amended its State Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, the non-federal share is only 10 percent of the total cost (approximately $213,000), rather than the usual 75/25 cost share.