BRIDGEPORT, CT—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today released the following statement after surveying the damage from Hurricane Irene and assessing the recovery efforts from the region’s first responders.

“Though we were not hit as hard as we may have been, there is substantial damage to property and disruption to people’s lives.  I want to congratulate Governor Malloy, town executives and our first responders for their thorough preparations and response to this disaster.   There is much work to be done in the days and weeks ahead to fully recover, however, and my office stands ready to assist individuals, businesses, and communities in accessing federal disaster aid as it becomes available through FEMA.  In order to assist our office expedite the FEMA process, individuals should document losses and report this information to their local Emergency Operation Center.”

Himes has visited Emergency Operations Centers in Bridgeport, Greenwich, Stamford, Weston and Westport.  He will continue to survey damage in the Fourth District beginning at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Fairfield Emergency Operations Center located at 140 Reef Road, Fairfield, CT.