Rell appeals denied tornado aid request

Hartford, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell says she is appealing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's decision to deny financial aid for Fairfield County communities hit by a June tornado.

Rell announced Friday that she is providing FEMA with additional information not included in an initial state request, which was turned down by the federal agency last week.

Rell sought aid last month for affected areas, such as Bridgeport and Stratford, after she said federal and state officials determined a June 24 tornado caused more than $3 million in damages.

FEMA denied the state's request, ruling the damages weren't beyond what the state was capable of handling.

Rell says the storm hit low-income areas that do not have the resources they need to recover.