Murphy Secures FEMA Funding for Woodmont Beach in Milford

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the City of Milford/Borough of Woodmont with more than $339,000 in Public Assistance funding to restore damage caused to Woodmont Beach during Hurricane Irene in Aug. 2011.

In 2012, FEMA agreed to provide Public Assistance funds to the City of Milford/Borough of Woodmont to restore Woodmont Beach, as authorized by the major disaster declaration following Hurricane Irene. The Borough proceeded to perform the necessary repairs with the understanding that it would receive federal reimbursement upon completion. In January 2014, FEMA reversed its initial approval, asking for additional documentation to prove that a maintenance program had been adhered to prior to the storm. The Borough was thus facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unreimbursed cost based on initial miscommunication from FEMA.

Upon learning of the problem, Murphy contacted the Borough of Woodmont, FEMA, and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to resolve the issue. Following multiple meetings and conversations a solution was found, with FEMA ultimately determining the beach was eligible for Public Assistance funds. The town has now received the full federal cost share reimbursement amount of $339,292.87 for the costs of the restoration.

“Natural disasters, as we saw with Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, can damage local communities beyond their ability to recover on their own—which is precisely why the federal government provides emergency disaster assistance,” Murphy said in a press release. “I am proud to have helped the City of Milford/Borough of Woodmont receive the federal assistance it needed to fully rebuild following this disaster. This money is critical to Connecticut’s recovery, and I will continue to work hard everyday to ensure that Connecticut residents see every last dollar to which they are entitled.”

Image via Shutterstock

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