HARTFORD, Conn.—Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says federal agriculture officials have approved his request for a disaster designation related to the remnants of Hurricane Irene that struck Connecticut in late August.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack designated Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, and Windham Counties as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by strong winds, heavy rainfall and severe flooding. Malloy says Tolland County was named a contiguous disaster county.
The disaster designation announced Friday allows farmers in all eight counties to apply for federal assistance such as emergency loans and other financial help.
The Farm Service Agency said thousands of acres of summer squash, tomatoes, corn, apples and other crops were damaged. Estimates of dollar amounts were not available.
