It’s been one month since Tropical Storm Irene struck Connecticut and left a path of devastation in its wake.
The City of Bristol was one of hardest hit spots as flooding ravaged neighborhoods and roads and they’re still dealing with the massive clean up.
“There’s quite a bit of devastation that we can’t handle on the local level,” Mayor Art Ward said.
That’s why FEMA has set up shop in the city, helping homeowners where they can.
For residents like Anita LaBelle, the past month has been frustrating.
“Yes, very overwhelming,” she said. “I just want to cry. I can’t do it any more.”
Her Federick Street home was severely damaged by floodwater when the Pequabuck River overflowed its banks. The whole first floor was ruined. Since then, the walls and floor have been torn out.
“It’s very slow, long tedious work,” LaBelle said. “It’s hard to get any type of financing to help pay for all this.”
She has flood insurance but is paying $2,000 out of pocket and she added that the insurance company is fighting her on what repairs they will cover.
LaBelle is waiting to see what FEMA may or may not cover.
Paul Dapril already knows that he will not get federal help to clear the sand that ended up on his lawn.
“My backyard, I had six loads of sand removed now it sounds like FEMA doesn’t take care of sand,” Dapril said.
The city itself was affected.
Work is just getting under way to repair portions of Route 72 that were eroded away. The work will last months.
“It’s massive, there’s no doubt about it,” Mayor Ward said. “Irene was tough on us.”
The deadline to apply for FEMA and SBA funding is November 6. Officials remind people that they must register first to be eligible.
