Comptroller Sean Scanlon Releases Final Hartford Flood Relief & Compensation Programs Report

(HARTFORD, CT) – Comptroller Sean Scanlon today announced the update and final publication of a report outlining how the Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Programs (HFRCP) allocated nearly $13 million to assist and provide compensation to Hartford residents and property owners impacted by ground flooding.

“For years, bad storms and aging infrastructure resulted in major flood damage to property and peoples’ lives in Hartford. Insurance didn’t cover it, and most couldn’t afford to fix it. The Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Programs was created to help those affected, and in the last two years we have provided more than $12 million of relief that has kept businesses open and allowed families to stay in and repair their homes,” said Comptroller Scanlon. “I am proud to have worked with Speaker Ritter, Hartford’s legislative delegation, and Program Administrator Dr. Gary Rhule, to create this first-of-its-kind program that finally gave people and businesses the help they needed and deserved after years of damaging floods.”

Through this program, 660 property owners, renters, and business owners received $12,521,856.49 in relief. An additional 15 applications have been approved and allocated in the amount of $201,983.91, but checks have yet to be sent to claimants due to lack of response for requested paperwork necessary to process the payments. The total number of approvals is 675 with a total claim payout of $12,723,840.40. The average claim pay out was $18,850.13.

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter said, “On behalf of the Hartford legislative delegation, I am proud to recognize the incredible team of neighbors, advocates, business leaders, and state and local leaders that got us here today. With everyone’s hard work, the Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Programs provided critical assistance to hundreds of homeowners, renters and businesses.”

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said, “The success of the Hartford Flood Relief and Compensation Program is a testament to what we can achieve when state and local leadership align to protect our most vulnerable neighborhoods. Thanks to this partnership, we haven’t just provided temporary fixes—we’ve delivered real peace of mind and long-overdue stability to our families.”

Jordan-Victoria Telfer, HFRCP recipient, said, “The support I received through the Flood Program made a meaningful difference during an incredibly stressful time, helping me recover after significant damage. I am truly grateful for the assistance and the impact it had on my family and our ability to move forward.”

The Webster, an entertainment venue in Hartford, was also a recipient of the program. Owners Julian Gellman and Claude Elie said, “When sewage water flooded The Webster Theater’s basement and artist areas, the damage was extensive and disruptive to our operations. The Hartford Flood Compensation Program made it possible for us to properly remediate and rebuild those spaces to a safe and professional standard. Without that support, the recovery process would have been significantly more difficult. This program demonstrates how meaningful municipal and state partnership can be in protecting small businesses and preserving Hartford’s cultural and entertainment ecosystem.”