I first want to thank all of the emergency responders around the district who are dealing with calls of flooding, cars and people stuck in floodwaters, and the damaged roads. Thank you for your patience and cooperation & stay safe over the coming days when travelling in the region.

The Town of Monroe has issued a Declaration of a Local State of Emergency due to substantial damage and loss to public infrastructure and property.

The Stevenson Dam is structurally secure. In an update from FirstLight, the company noted that Housatonic River hydroelectric facilities are not flood control facilities and are not capable of holding back water to prevent flooding. Within the constraints of their licenses, FirstLight works to accommodate high flows.

For those interested in monitoring flows on the Housatonic River, it can be accessed here.

Update on the Roads

I was on a call with the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) & Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and asked for an update about Route 34, The DOT said it’s completely unsafe due to structural damage from flooding and to expect a multi-day closure.

For the latest state road closures (like Route 34) you can visit CTRoads.org. For local road closures, check out Monroe Police Department‘s Facebook page, Easton Police, and Trumbull Police.

Please obey road closures and DO NOT go around barricades, cones or tape. Roads may appear just to be covered by water, but underneath are washed out.

Route 34 is a priority for the state. The DOT is developing plans for repairs so that it can be reopened in a timely manner.

The State of Connecticut has submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield County, New Haven County, and Litchfield County. This 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.

The governor is also requesting assistance from the Federal Highway Administration for the numerous destroyed and compromised state roads.

Flood Disaster Resources

A link has been created to report damages to homes and businesses. This will help the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s (DESPP) Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), which are conducting the initial damage assessment from the floods.

• CT DEMHS Residential & Business Damage Assessment Form:

https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/CTDEMHS/request.html

The request for a federal emergency declaration is NOT a request for a major disaster declaration, which could provide federal funding to support homeowners and businesses.

That type of declaration requires a detailed accounting of all public and uninsured private property damage to determine whether certain thresholds have been met. That process typically takes several weeks to complete.

Damage covered by individual insurance policies will not be eligible for FEMA grants. Fallen trees are also not eligible for FEMA disaster funding

• CID Virtual Claims Center:

The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) is opening a Virtual Claims Center to provide assistance to those impacted. The Insurance Department will share valuable informational resources with consumers and offer those impacted the opportunity to engage in one-on-one consultations with representatives from CID’s Consumer Affairs Division.

For answers to coverage questions, information on how to submit a claim, or help with any insurance-related issues, please contact the Consumer Affairs Division at any time by phone at (860) 297-3900 or via email at insurance@ct.gov.

Home/Business Owners

• Insurance Claims:

https://www.floodsmart.gov/how-do-i-start-my-flood-claim

• Flooded Wells and Water Sources:

https://portal.ct.gov/dph/communications/crisis-and-emergency-risk-communication/flooding-information-for-homeowners-about-private-wells-sewage-and-cleanup

• Water Damaged Vehicles:

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/flooded-car/

• Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery:

https://portal.ct.gov/demhs/grants/small-business-administration-disaster-recovery