Obama Declares State of Emergency

President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Connecticut, a move that marshals federal aid for the state in advance of Hurricane Irene. Obama’s action was in response to a request Friday from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for an advance emergency declaration because Irene’s track has the storm squarely hitting the state tonight.

The president's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts here.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the hurricane.  Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

Those federal efforts also are intended to address the hardship and suffering caused by Irene on local populations, and to provide appropriate emergency assistance under Title V of the U.S. Stafford Act. Those measures include helping local and state officials with saving lives, protecting property and the public health and safety, and lessening or averting the threat of a catastrophe in the state.

W. Craig Fugate, FEMA’s administrator, has named Gary Stanley to coordinate federal operations in the state.