Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Connecticut

[The Patriot]

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to Connecticut

09-05-2011 04:00 AM

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

HARTFORD, Conn.—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to Connecticut where she joined Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator Richard Blumenthal and other officials to survey recovery efforts on the ground following Hurricane Irene and to affirm the federal government’s continuing commitment to our state, local, tribal and community partners throughout the disaster recovery and response.

“Even before Hurricane Irene made landfall we were working with our federal, state, local, and tribal emergency management partners to prepare and minimize loss of life and damage in Connecticut,” said Secretary Napolitano. “However, our work is not done—as we enter the beginning of the recovery phase, the Obama administration is leaning forward to support communities throughout the East Coast.”

In East Haven, Conn., Secretary Napolitano, Governor Malloy, Senator Lieberman, Senator Blumenthal and other officials toured surrounding areas to survey flood damage following Hurricane Irene. Secretary Napolitano then traveled to Hartford, Conn. to the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where she met with first responders and volunteers and participated in a conference call briefing with other state and federal officials.

The Obama Administration has been heavily engaged in recovery and response efforts since the storms first hit, and Administration officials have urged Americans in affected areas to continue to listen to guidance and direction from state and local officials.

Last week, FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino visited Hartford, Conn. where he met with first responders to assess damages, and discuss the federal response needed for recovery efforts with state and local officials.

Families and individuals that have been impacted by the hurricane, and need assistance have several options for getting help:

• Registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov,
• Registering through a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or
• Calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

For more information, please visit www.fema.gov.

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