FEMA denies Conn. appeal for storm assistance

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH/AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Connecticut's appeal for financial aid for Fairfield County communities hit by a June tornado.

FEMA initially denied the aid request last month, saying the damages from the storms weren't beyond what the state could fix on its own. Connecticut appealed, arguing it should receive the aid because unlike most states, it does not have county governments or benefit from the revenues they collect.

But FEMA said the damage was within what the combined resources of the state and local governments could handle.

In a statement released Saturday, Rell called the decision "simply unfair" and said many victims "do not have the resources to make their lives whole again."

"This is a profound disappointment and, frankly, simply unfair for the families and business owners who are still dealing with the aftermath of the tornado," Governor Rell said.

"Many of those affected, especially in the heart of our largest city, Bridgeport, do not have the resources to make their lives whole again.

"FEMA has failed to follow its own guidelines when evaluating the local impact on these families and businesses."

The state estimated the storm did $4.2 million in damage, including more than $3 million in Bridgeport.

The Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security said public damage exceeded FEMA's threshold of $2.8 million for Fairfield County.

In rejecting Connecticut's appeal, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate said the damage did not meet the localized exception and that "the required response appears to be within the combined capabilities of the State and affected local governments."