WINDSOR, Conn. – State and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in three additional Connecticut counties are now eligible to receive federal disaster assistance under the Public Assistance program to supplement state and local response efforts.

The counties added to the major disaster declaration issued Oct. 30 are Litchfield, Tolland and Windham. This brings the total to seven counties and two tribal nations included in the Connecticut disaster declaration.

Previous counties designated under the declaration are Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London, and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations in New London County. Now, seven counties and both tribal nations are eligible for permanent work to repair and rebuild disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

State, local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible to be reimbursed on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, and permanent work to repair and rebuild infrastructure.

Public Assistance reimbursement is based on a federal cost share of at least 75 percent. In Connecticut, cost share for emergency power restoration and emergency public transportation was 100 percent at the height of hurricane recovery through Nov. 14.

Grants help pay for emergency protective measures such as police overtime; debris removal from public roads and rights-of-way; and permanent repairs to roads, bridges and public buildings. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.