Pallone Urges Storm Damage Survey in New Jersey Ahead of Possible Federal Disaster Declaration
LONG BRANCH, NJ – RealEstateRama – After a powerful nor’easter brought torrential rain and coastal flooding to communities across New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today asked state and federal agencies to move quickly to evaluate the damage, laying the groundwork for a potential federal disaster declaration. In a letter, he urged the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin assessments.
“Tidal waters rose as high as six to seven feet in parts of my district, flooding homes and businesses, wrecking municipal piers and bulkheads, and leaving vehicles submerged on local streets,” Pallone wrote. “Flood control projects, berms, and elevated homes appear to have spared many neighborhoods from even greater losses, but the damage this storm caused is considerable.”
Pallone also commended Governor Sherrill for declaring a state of emergency ahead of the storm and pledged to work with state officials to secure the federal funding that towns, businesses, and residents will need to recover.
The full letter is available here and reproduced below:
Dear Commissioner Potosnak and Acting State Director Hengemuhle:
This past weekend, a powerful nor’easter struck my district and communities throughout New Jersey, bringing heavy rain, tidal surges, and strong winds. I am grateful for your readiness to carry out a swift damage assessment, which is essential to my efforts to obtain a federal disaster declaration if the survey thresholds are met.
The storm has created hazardous conditions statewide, from power outages to severe coastal erosion. The National Weather Service’s latest forecast cautioned that heavy rain and tidal surges would persist across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Monday night, and coastal areas of New Jersey are already experiencing major flooding. In parts of my district, tidal waters reached six to seven feet, inundating homes and businesses, damaging piers and bulkheads, and submerging cars on the streets. Although flood control projects, berms, and raised homes seem to have prevented even worse outcomes in many places, the storm’s toll is substantial.
I commend Governor Sherrill for acting early to declare a state of emergency, and I ask that the DEP and OEM document the full scope of the damage as soon as conditions allow it to be done safely.
Thank you for your prompt attention. I am ready to partner with you to deliver the federal resources that towns, businesses, and residents need to recover from this devastating storm.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
CC: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Emergency Management Agency
