6 Months After Sandy, Conn. Officials Tour Remaining Damage

(NECN: Brian Burnell, New Haven, Conn. ) - Will Clark, New Haven Public Schools Chief Operating Officer, describes what Sandy did to buildings of The Sound School this way: "So with the high tide it then crashed in. The waves came in. It was literally coming out and water was waved up as it got through up to these houses up here. Up to what level? Across the street."

Hurricane Sandy hit six months ago. Clark lead a tour of elected officials, folks from FEMA and the head of the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force showing them what's been done and what still needs work. Connecticut US Sen. Richard Blumenthal came away with a simple conclusion.

"We need more money. We need it quicker."

While he and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro laud the federal govern -- both say more is needed. While much has been repaired DeLauro says a survey of remaining damaging is daunting. In Milford, for example.

"Over a thousand structures that still have to be dealt with in some way. What is going on in East Haven in the shoreline?"

Where dozens of houses were damaged or destroyed, first by Tropical Storm Irene and then by Sandy. It begs the question should people be allowed to live in these areas? Task Force Head Laurel Blatchford says that's not the federal government's call.

"Really this has to be locally driven set of decisions. I think there are a lot of folks who feel very strongly, and they should, about their communities and so our job is to support that process. Obviously we need to insure the best use of taxpayer funds."

Money that's come in up until now has been spent largely on repair. Money that comes in after this will be spent on what they're calling resilience and mitigation. Translation: Getting ready for the next devastating storm.

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