Obama declares emergency in Connecticut

David Jackson, USA TODAY | USATODAY

President Obama has declared an emergency in snow-bound Connecticut, and pledged federal assistance.

The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency are authorized "to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population," said a White House statement Sunday.

The task is "to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe," the statement said.

For full coverage of winter storm Nemo, check out USATODAY.com.

The statement also said "emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding."

The full White House statement:

"The president today declared an emergency exists in the State of Connecticut and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning on February 8, 2013, and continuing.

"The president's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all eight counties and the Tribal Nations of Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan in the State of Connecticut.

"Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

"Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This emergency assistance will be provided for a period of 48 hours."