FEMA denies Healey’s disaster declaration request for Sept. flooding [Video]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Maura Healey’s request for a major disaster declaration for Massachusetts as a result of severe storms in September that caused catastrophic flooding.A letter to Healey from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell states that in December 2023, the governor specifically requested individual assistance for two counties, public assistance for two counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state.The Office of the Governor said that Healey’s administration requested a major disaster declaration for Bristol, Hampden and Worcester counties.In Worcester County, nearly a foot of rain fell in Leominster alone on the night of Sept. 11 and caused more than $36 million in damages in the city.Approximately 200 homes in the town of North Attleborough (Bristol County) were flooded or damaged during the Sept. 11 storm.Farmers in western Massachusetts, including Hampden County, had their crops plagued by rain all summer long.”Based on our review of all …