Obama Approves Malloy’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration

President Barack Obama on Thursday approved Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s Nov. 11 request for a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of the freak October snowstorm.

The declaration frees up the state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations to apply for federal funding to offset the costs of the storm, which dumped more than a foot of snow in some spots in the state.

The announcement came in a press release issued by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, as Malloy was still on his way back from his trip to Afghanistan.

“On behalf of all of the residents of our state who were affected by this storm, I am pleased that the president has approved this declaration and assistance is headed to Connecticut cities and towns,” Wyman said. “This storm and its aftermath were indeed major disasters for citizens across the state. We appreciate the work the president and FEMA have done to help Connecticut recover.”

Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland and Windham counties received full federal assistance for emergency work and the repair of replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. New London County didn’t meet FEMA’s criteria for full assistance, but towns there are still eligible for help with up to 72 hours of debris removal and emergency protective measures.