As western Connecticut cleans up from historic flash flooding, dozens of victims met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Oxford on Friday.

FEMA officials urged them to report damage immediately to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, so that the state can qualify for direct federal assistance.

Jennifer Bodyk came to Oxford Town Hall feeling overwhelmed. Like others in the packed meeting room, Bodyk is facing massive repair bills.

"We had 5 feet of water in our basement," she said. "There is likely damage to the foundation. The deck is sagging."

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Greenwich) organized the meeting. He said it's critical that victims report their damage to the state right away.

"What people need to do right now is take photographs of damage," Himes said. "Not after it's been repaired, but before it's been repaired."

President Joe Biden already issued a federal emergency declaration for Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties. That makes additional money and resources available for cleanup and recovery, but it doesn't provide direct assistance to towns and homeowners.

For that to happen, the White House must declare a "major emergency." To qualify, Fairfield County must report $3.9 million in damage, and New Haven County must rack up $4.4 million. Himes said the application process can take several weeks.

Once a major emergency is declared, flood victims can apply for up to $42,500 in structural repairs and another $42,500 for lost belongings. FEMA will also cover temporary rental costs in some cases.

"If they register, we will schedule a home inspection," said FEMA Coordinating Officer Bob Fogel. "We will have teams pre-described and pre-loaded, en route to do those inspections that same day if we can possibly do it."

Once FEMA inspects your home, Fogel said you can receive a check as fast as the same day – and usually within a week. But the federal government will only cover what insurance doesn't, and there are limits to federal assistance.

"Can we get the house to be inhabitable? And that means, a working, viable kitchen or bathroom or a bedroom," Fogel said. "It's not the entire facility, the entire home."

Bodyk isn't sure how she will make ends meet if the feds don't come through with help.

"I don't know," she said. "I don't know."