Governor Asks Feds for Help After June Tornado

The governor is asking President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster in Fairfield County.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell made the request through acting governor Michael Fedele.

The move could bring federal financial aid to Bridgeport and other Fairfield County towns impacted by the June 24 tornado, according to a statement from Rell’s office.

The letter was sent after the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security confirmed significant losses and expenses in Fairfield County for the June 24 tornado.

“The June 24 tornado touched down for just a short period of time, but people in the Bridgeport area are still trying to put their lives and livelihoods back together,” said Rell.

“The raging storm not only delivered a staggering blow from nature, it took a colossal toll on the financial resources of state and local governments,” Rell said.

Fedele said taxpayers cannot bear these costs.

“Especially not in these still-stressful economic times,” he said. “Our top priority right now is to provide all of the assistance we possibly can to everyone who has been affected by the Bridgeport tornado. We are confident that the White House will act quickly on this request.”

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