Resources for Victims of Historic Floods

September 10, 2024


I would like to share my condolences with all the victims and their families following the severe flooding and subsequent damage in parts of Stamford, the Naugatuck Valley, and beyond. Two women died after rising waters swept them away, dozens of businesses are shut down, at least six bridges were washed away, and countless homes are damaged. It could take weeks or months to recover from this natural disaster.

Several state agencies are offering a lifeline, and federal resources are coming to Connecticut to help cleanup, rebuild, and recover. Let’s start with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, which is encouraging those who suffered residential, commercial, and industrial property damage to use a self-reporting link. The portal enables crews to create a statewide overview of the storm damage and help agencies determine where to send their teams.

The information you report will be used to decide if the State of Connecticut is eligible for any post disaster programs through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and/or the Small Business Administration (SBA).While there is no guarantee the state will meet thresholds for federal assistance, crews need to collectively capture all damage reports to determine eligibility under federal guidelines.
Click here to self-report damage

The state is launching another resource in the form of a micro-grant program so that damaged small businesses can rebuild and recover. State grants of up to $25,000 will be available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County that have fewer than 100 employees and experienced damage from the floods. Grants can be used to cover various expenses to help in the recovery, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost inventory, and replacing equipment.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development will administer the program with the help of the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC), a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County that works to support business growth and job creation statewide.
Click here to apply for small business grant

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has set up an entire webpage dedicated to assisting flood victims. The site contains a consolidated list of resources and links including:

  • An application for unemployment compensation for individuals who are out of work or had hours reduced due to the flooding
  • A flood resource guide
  • A storm water cover and flood insurance fact sheet
Assistance for Flood Victims
My thoughts are with everyone grappling with the profound challenges posed by this devastating flooding. In this time of immense difficulty, I wish for strength and resilience for all those affected. If you need any assistance, do not hesitate to contact my office.