Southbury disaster center closes as deadline for FEMA assistance ends

The deadline for FEMA assistance is Nov. 19.

Angelica Toruno

Nov 19, 2024, 9:48 PM

Updated 5 days ago

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The Federal Emergency Response Administration has had boots on the ground in Southbury since October when it opened a disaster center on the second floor of Southbury Town Hall.
The center aimed to help residents impacted by the Aug. 18 and 19 flooding apply for federal assistance.
It's been 60 days since opening, and the deadline is Nov. 19.
"Total of people who have applied for disaster assistance in Connecticut is just over 2,500, and money dispersed was just over $9.3 million. At the center here in Southbury, we've had over 800 people apply for assistance," explained Dan McElhinney, National Preparedness Division director of FEMA Region I.
Lorraine Cavanaugh, who has lived in Southbury for 27 years, says she has never experienced what she did on that summer day in August.
"I was sitting there watching TV with the dog and he jumped off my lap and splashed on the rug," recalled Cavanaugh.
She says she's grateful for the help FEMA has provided.
"Just easy, and everybody was really nice, and they explained things to you," she says.
The center will close its doors at 6 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 19.
You can apply via online or call 800-621-3362 until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 19.