Request for federal flood aid approved

Hartford, Conn./WTIC Radio - President Biden has approved Governor Lamont's request for federal emergency assistance in wake of the deadly and destructive flash flooding that hit Connecticut on Sunday.

Lamont made the request this week for Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties.

The declaration comes on the heels of the governor's civil preparedness emergency declaration and means state agencies will be able to coordinate with FEMA for assistance from the likes of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the EPA, and others.

The impacted areas sustained extensive damage to roads, bridges, and the overall infrastructure.

“This federal emergency declaration means that additional equipment and crews could be mobilized to Connecticut to support our many state and local crews who have been on the ground working to repair damaged roads, bridges, and dams, and also clean up waterways that have been contaminated by all kinds of hazardous items from the storm,” Governor Lamont said.

The state Departments of Transporation and Emergency Services and Public Protection, among others, have been in the ground since the initial impact, said Lamont.

Lamont says there is still much work to be done, while thanking Biden and the White House for the quick approval.