Politics & Government

Gov. Malloy Seeks Presidential Disaster Declaration for Jan. 12 Record Snowstorm

If President Barack Obama does so, Connecticut towns and municipalities affected by the Jan. 12 storm might be able to get federal aid.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has requested that President Barack Obama declare "a major disaster in the state of Connecticut" in efforts to make federal funds available to assist towns and cities affected by record snowfall on Jan. 12.

"This aid is intended to begin to help meet the mounting costs associated with the historic snowstorm that hit Connecticut on Jan. 12, 2011 that stretched both state and local resources to and beyond the breaking point,” Malloy said. "My top priority right now is to provide all of the disaster assistance we possibly can to our cities and towns during these very tough economic times. I am hopeful that President Obama will act quickly on my request."

About 17 inches of snow fell in Avon on Jan. 12, costing the town $24,256.59.

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

that the cost of snow removal for that storm was not the most expensive storm to clean up. It was the fourth most expensive storm to date, but three storms cost more this winter -- the 9-inch snowfall on Feb. 1 and 2, the 8-inch snowstorm on Dec. 26 and 27, 2010, and the 3-inch snow and half-inch ice storm that happened on Jan. 18 and 19. Those three storms cost $33,939.31, $31,826.62 and $31,524.13, respectively.

“It’s because of the overtime,” Williams previously told Patch. “It depends on when the storm falls.”

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For winter storms dating up to Feb. 8, the total cost of snow removal was $235,319.36.

According to a press release from Malloy's office, he sent the letter after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) "confirmed  that expenses and snowfall amounts met FEMA established thresholds in most, if not all, Connecticut counties.

"The preliminary damage assessment estimated eligible costs at over $14 million," the press release stated.

Avon has not indicated if it is seeking federal aid for the cost of this winter's storms.


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