Blumenthal, DeLauro introduce bill in effort to change FEMA disaster aid

<p>The announcement comes nearly five months after tornadoes tore through Connecticut, with neighborhoods in Fairfield and New Haven counties still recovering.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 9, 2018, 4:46 PM

Updated 2,024 days ago

Share:

State politicians introduced a bill Tuesday to end the ban on federal disaster relief to homeowners for fallen trees and debris.
The announcement comes nearly five months after tornadoes tore through Connecticut, with neighborhoods in Fairfield and New Haven counties still recovering.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro say the current law bars FEMA assistance for clearing fallen trees if they don't hit your home. They say the cost of debris removal cannot currently be included in damage assessments provided by FEMA.
News 12 is told some homeowners faced costs of up to $70,000 for debris and tree removal following the May 15 tornadoes. The damage is not covered by homeowners insurance.
While the state is receiving federal disaster aid for towns, individual property owners were denied help.
"We're trying to fix a fault and a flaw in the law," Sen. Blumenthal says. "FEMA treatment of the victims of this damage has been deeply unfair and unreasonable."
Blumenthal and DeLauro say the bill would be retroactive, and that they're hoping to get bipartisan support for it.
They say if it does not pass this legislative session, they're prepared to make this a fight in the next one.


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

2:07
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:22
Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

1:52
Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck