Rell declares state of emergency

(WTNH) - After touring Fairfield County today, Gov. Jodi Rell has declared a state of emergency following Saturday's deadly storm.

"The devastation is just unbelievable," Rell told News Channel 8's Annie Rourke.

The storm left over 110,000 people without power and some won't be back on line until Wednesday.

Rell says town leaders need to tally up the cost of this storm so that the state can determine if they qualify for federal funds.

For Fairfield County, for example, a minimum of $2.85 million in damage must be recorded for that county to qualify for federal disaster assistance. For state government's expenditures to qualify for federal reimbursement, the state would need to incur $4.39 million in costs.

"We didn't think the power would be back the next day, which would be Sunday. But in fact, nothing happened Sunday, not a single tree was moved. Then in the morning, the trees are still there, not just in our road, but in many other parts," said Sandy Liu of Darien.

The damage is extensive. And, the process to clean-up is slow going.

"We're coping okay. The house is cold. We've borrowed some, taken some, asked our neighbor for firewood. It's very nice, he gave us some firewood, but that doesn't keep much of the house very warm, we're worried about our food spoiling," said one Darien resident.

Saving the food is a problem the Red Cross can not solve. But providing a little comfort, a little warmth, is as easy as turning on the lights. Easy, at least, at the more than six shelters that are serving as a temporary home for many still amazed by the power of Mother Nature.