WASHINGTON – One year after supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes swept through Connecticut, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced the Diversifying Emergency Benchmarks for the Recovery of Individuals after Storms (DEBRIS) Act to end the harmful and unnecessary ban on federal disaster relief aid to homeowners for fallen trees and debris. Blumenthal and DeLauro announced the legislation today in Hamden, Connecticut with Mayor Curt Leng.

Clearing fallen trees from a tornado, hurricane, or other major disaster can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars, but current federal law bars Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. Homeowners insurance also does not typically cover removal of trees and debris that has not caused damage to a structure. Further, the cost of debris removal cannot currently be included in damage assessments provided to FEMA, making it harder for states to qualify for needed disaster declarations and federal relief. 

Following the May 15, 2018 supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes, some Connecticut homeowners faced costs of up to $70,000 for debris and tree removal, not covered by homeowners insurance. While Connecticut is receiving federal disaster aid to cover public expenses in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, individual property owners have been left to fend for their own.

Specifically, the bill would require FEMA to change their criteria to allow private property debris removal to be considered in a disaster declaration. If a declaration is granted and individual assistance is authorized, debris removal could then be made eligible for federal funding. The bill would be retroactive to May 1, 2018, providing a new path for Connecticut property owners to receive additional federal aid for the supercell storms. 

“This bill would enable retroactive aid for Connecticut homeowners saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in tree removal costs from the severe May 15, 2018 supercell storms,” Blumenthal said. “When extreme weather strikes—be it a tornado, hurricane or other disaster— homeowners rely on FEMA to cover the astronomical, unanticipated costs of restoring their lives and homes to normal. The blanket prohibition on aid for debris removal has left homeowners nationwide high and dry, and removing it is simply commonsense.” 

“After meeting with homeowners in Connecticut impacted by the supercell storms, I saw firsthand the devastation these storms caused communities across our state,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the DEBRIS Act. The federal government should be stepping in to make sure families have the tools they need to respond to a natural disasters. Our bill provides much needed relief to these homeowners.”

“The federal government has a key role to play in the aftermath of natural disasters like the tornadoes that struck Connecticut last year,” said DeLauro. “Families deserve to be made whole, but current law prevents individuals from receiving FEMA federal assistance for fallen debris. The DEBRIS Act would fix this problem, and that is why I am proud to reintroduce this bill and fight to ensure it is passed into law.” 

“In the wake of last year’s hurricane many Connecticut residents, including my constituents in New Milford, were denied FEMA’s assistance with clearing debris from their property,” Hayes said. “The DEBRIS Act will help to give my constituents the help they need in a time of disaster.”

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