Larson: Latest Round of Flooding Has Increased Hardships For Farmers And Caused New Property Damage

Calls for redoubled federal disaster response in wake of week's flooding

HARTFORD - Recognizing the scope of damage for farmers and our communities, Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) redoubled his call today for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue to respond strongly to the ongoing flooding across Connecticut and the entire east coast this week in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

This morning Congressman Larson met with FEMAAdministrator William Craig Fugate and was assured that FEMA is responding to this week's flooding under the existing Hurricane Irene disaster declaration while they determine if this week's flooding requires a separate disaster declaration.

"This latest round of flooding has caused incredible property damage throughout the First Congressional District and beyond, underscoring the need to get relief to our farmers whose crops have been washed away and destroyed over the last two weeks," Congressman Larson said.

The USDA has directed the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to work directly with the Connecticut Farm Bureau to help the agriculture community recover. The Connecticut Farm Bureau has since directed all local farm bureaus throughout the state to collect information on storm damage and report back to them.

Residents who need to report property damage may do so by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA or by going online to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.

Farmers in need of reporting damage may download forms from the CT Department of Agriculture at www.CTGrown.gov or call (860) 713-2503 if they have any questions.

Residents of the First Congressional District can always contact Congressman Larson's office at (860) 278-8888 for assistance too.