Malloy urges Norwalk Sandy victims to visit FEMA mobile centers

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk residents hard hit by Superstorm Sandy can get in-person help later this week at a FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Center open in City Hall.

Mobile centers are also opening in Fairfield and East Lyme.

“While we are encouraging residents to register with FEMA either online or via telephone, these mobile centers are another resource for individuals looking to access assistance,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy in a statement. “If you live in one of the declared counties and you suffered damage from Storm Sandy, register with FEMA and visit one of these centers so we can begin the disaster assistance process.”

The hours are:

Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave.

• Thursday, Nov. 15, noon to 8 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 16, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov.17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

East Lyme Town Hall, 108 Pennsylvania Ave.

• Tuesday, Nov. 13, noon to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fairfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace

• Tuesday, Nov. 13, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

So far, more than $2.2 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved to help individuals with disaster expenses in Connecticut, the statement says. To date:

• More than 6,550 Connecticut residents in the counties of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County have registered for federal disaster assistance.
• More than $2.1 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
• More than $134,000 has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
• More than 600 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing.
• More than 1,400 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted.
• More than 4,800 disaster loan applications have been issued by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Of that number, more than 3,800 are for home loans, with more than 900 applications from businesses.

Residents in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London Counties and businesses across the state who suffered damage as a result of Sandy are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting the recovery center by either calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by going online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. For those with speech or hearing disabilities, the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585.

In addition, Malloy is encouraging residents seeking additional information on how to apply for the assistance to download the fact sheet available at www.ct.gov/sandy.