State and Feds Vow to Begin Connecticut Irene Cleanup

Federal and state officials say preliminary estimates show that Tropical Storm Irene has cost Connecticut and local communities at least $15 million in overtime and damage to public buildings.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Sens. Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal toured a hard-hit beach-front neighborhood in East Haven on Monday. About 20 homes in the neighborhood are a total loss and officials say more than 300 homes statewide suffered major damage.

Officials are urging residents and business owners to apply for financial help from the federal government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will open offices in all eight counties in Connecticut by Thursday to assess damage and collect information from residents.