Numerous state departments and agencies are among the benefactors of $7 million in federal grants related to Superstorm Sandy. The latest round of funding follows $71.8 million in federal grants received last year by towns and cities affected by the storm, which struck Connecticut in 2012 and caused an estimated $360 million in damage and killed four people.
This latest round of funding is expected to be the final disbursements related to the storm. Among the projects receiving federal funding:
Department of Public Health —Drinking Water Vulnerability Assessment and Resiliency Plan- $600,000. The plan will help identify vulnerabilities, as well as take measures to enhance resiliency in areas with drinking water supplies.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection—Municipal Resilience Planning Assistance Project $1,205,450- DEEP will develop tools for municipalities in the four counties affected by Superstorm Sandy to assess the vulnerability of infrastructure (including wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, roads, and public safety assets) to flooding from rivers and storm surges now and in the next 25-50 years when it is likely that sea levels will be higher. DEEP will create technical assistance programs for municipalities to test and evaluate their tools and supports that currently exist.
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP)—Fuel Study: Improve Resiliency through the Strengthening of the Fuel Network $200,000- The study will enhance public safety measures by addressing current municipal plans that could adversely impact evacuations of residents from at-risk areas following an emergency event. The study will evaluate rapid response planning and responding immediately following a major storm.
Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (DEMHS)—Update of the State of Connecticut’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan $50,000- This grant will fund a plan to identify the state’s mitigation policies and capabilities to reduce risk and future losses. This task includes a review of the current plan, updating the risk assessment model, and determining a final outcome with FEMA.
