Wait Continues in Middlesex County for Storm Help

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday that President Obama had approved his request for a major disaster declaration for federal aid as a result of the Jan. 12 storm in six of eight counties, excluding Middlesex and Winham counties.

But according to FEMA officials, Middlesex and Windham counties remained "under review" as each exceeded their per capita cost thresholds required by FEMA, which is still deciding whether the counties met record snowfall requirements.

"There's no one in Middlesex County that could argue that we didn't get hit [hard] by the storm," said Durham First Selectwoman Laura Francis, adding that the town applied for about $70,000 in reimbursement aid following the storm.

Killingworth First Selectwoman Catherine Iino said the storm cost the town $55,000 in added expenses, and said she was hopeful that Middlesex County would receive the aid.

Brenda Bergeron, a lawyer DEMHS, was cautiously optimistic about Middlesex County’s chance at still being approved for relief.

“It’s guardedly good news,” Bergeron said. “It’s not denied yet, it’s just not included in the declaration. It’s still under review.”

Bergeron explained there are two conditions that must be met before the Federal Emergency Management Agency can approve relief funds.

Hypothetically, Bergeron said, “the reason [the county’s request] specifically might be denied is first the cost. Middlesex County exceeded [snow removal and other storm-related] costs.

“The second threshold is record snowfall amounts. These did not meet FEMA policy requirements.”

FEMA bases this second decision on whether the Jan. 12 storm’s snowfall was greater than the county’s record.

“Middlesex County’s record snowfall was in 1897. It’s kind of out of whack,” Bergeron said about comparing a 203-year-old record with present-day snowfall figures.

Because of that, Bergeron said, “we made an argument why [Middlesex County] should be included as part of the appeal.

“We’ve started to prepare the appeal until we hear in the negative,” she said.

DEMHS expects to hear a decision by next week.