Stamford, CT – On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, Stamford received approximately 8.1’ inches of rain, the most significant amount of rainfall that the City has seen in a short amount of time since 1955. As reported by the National Weather Service, the majority of the rainfall occurred over a 3-hour period.
As a result, Mayor David Martin issued an emergency declaration that enabled immediate response from all City emergency and operations personnel to resident’s urgent calls for assistance.
Mayor Martin is currently petitioning the state and fighting for an official Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration so that qualifying residents can receive the financial assistance necessary to aid in the recovery of damages caused by the extensive rainfall/flooding that occurred.
This incident has not yet been approved for FEMA assistance. If the FEMA application is granted, assistance will be provided as per FEMA’s regulations and requirements.
Displacement and Emergency Housing
From the inception of the storm, the City opened an emergency shelter located at Stamford High School at 55 Strawberry Hill Avenue to provide sheltering for residents in need. Many families who were temporarily displaced were able to seek refuge at this location.
After the incident, City officials at the emergency shelter worked with residents to safely return them to their residences or to have them placed with family members or friends for subsequent continued sheltering.
Social Services
Residents who require social service assistance or referrals as the result of losses suffered due to the storm or general assistance in filling out the Damage Assessment form should call 203-977-4051.
Citizen Services
Residents without computer or internet access who require general assistance related to the storm should call 203-977-4140 during business hours.
Residents without internet access in need of assistance after traditional business hours can call 203-977-5168.
Red Cross
The Red Cross provides minimal funds to residents if flooding is over the electrical outlets in main living areas or 18” off the main floor. For information on disaster assistance availability from the Red Cross, residents should call 877-287-3327.
Storm-Related Household Debris Pick-Up
Residents that need to dispose of storm-related household items damaged by flooding may do so by submitting their request with accompanying photos through Fix-It-Stamford at Emergency Event (veoci.com)
City household debris pickup has begun as of Wednesday, September 8, and will continue until Thursday, September 16. The pick-up service does not extend to fallen trees, branches, or foliage.
Residents are asked not to block City sidewalks with household items. Residents are also advised to keep images of damaged items for their own insurance purposes. The Sanitation Department will also take photos to document pickup.
The Transfer Station will be extending their hours Monday-Saturday from 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Reporting Damages for the State of Connecticut, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS)
The City of Stamford is working with the State of Connecticut, CT Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) on an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) for both Tropical Storm Henri and the remnants of Hurricane Ida to ascertain FEMA Financial Assistance for residents impacted.
In order to determine if the damages from these events meet the criteria for federal disaster assistance programs, DEMHS is asking all municipalities and tribal nations to report damages including residential and business damages. Residents are able to do so through Emergency Event (veoci.com).
If your home or business sustained damage from either TS Henri or Ida, please take the following steps:
• Document damages for each storm event
• Contact your insurance company to determine if the damages are covered by your policy
• Take photos of damages
• Keep receipts for repairs/costs
• Report details on the damages, provide photos, insurance information and your contact information to the City of Stamford to assist us in the application process.
Residents are required to provide this information to Fix It Stamford through Emergency Event (veoci.com) no later than Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
Your information will be included in the initial damage assessment the City submits to DEMHS. Once all of the damage data is received, DEMHS will assess whether the damages approach the federal criteria for disaster assistance programs.
For further general and up-to-date information, please visit https://www.stamfordct.gov/storms.
