DeLauro Statement on Connecticut’s Recovery from Tropical Storm Isaias

NEW HAVEN, C.T. —Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias and Connecticut's road to recovery:

"Tropical Storm Isaias hit the State of Connecticut swiftly, spreading across western and central Connecticut in little more than an hour's time, bringing with it sheets of soaking rain and gusts of up to 60 miles an hour. It closed roads, downed trees, damaged homes and businesses, and there are reports of at least one fatality. Now, we are dealing with cleanup and widespread and lingering power outages. Estimates are that more than 700,000 people across the state, and nearly 99,000 in the third district, are without power, and could be for several days. This is serious and unacceptable, especially at a time of economic peril amid this pandemic. Our residents are still in financial need despite, and now because of, this storm.

"I have been working closely with municipal leaders to track the costs associated with this storm and uninsured residential and commercial damages. This data will be critical to determining emergency assistance from FEMA.

"In the coming days, I will be looking at the preparedness of Eversource and United Illuminating. This issue of power outages is ongoing, and we must be asking why they were again caught unprepared, forcing the people of Connecticut to suffer. And I stand at the ready to support any effort by the State to secure a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Public and Individual Assistance to help our towns and residents recover.

"On Individual Assistance, Connecticut residents deserve to get their fair share from the federal government for assistance in responding to and cleaning up from this storm, but current law prevents fallen debris on personal property from being considered by FEMA. I will fight, as I have for years for the DEBRIS Act, and its inclusion in federal spending legislation, to end the harmful and unnecessary ban on federal disaster relief aid to homeowners for fallen trees and debris.

"I will continue to work with state and local leaders as well as both local energy providers to ensure the people of Connecticut swiftly and fully recover from Isaias and are confident the next natural disaster will not have the same lasting impacts on our livelihood."