Senators Request Federal Aid for Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem Counties Following Damaging Storm

Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez wrote a letter to President Barack Obama on Friday, July 13, requesting a federal disaster declaration for Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem counties following the devastating derecho that tore through the Mid-Atlantic Region on June 30.

In the letter, the Democratic Senators urged the President to approve the declaration, which would allow for federal funding to reimburse local governments, as well as individuals, for their recovery efforts, including the need to rebuild.

“These storms have placed a significant burden on local governments, businesses, and residents who have been forced to pay for clean-up and recovery costs,” the Senators wrote, according to a release issued by the Senators on Friday.  “Many of these communities are already facing tight budgets as they continue to recover from previous storms and greatly need financial assistance.”

The money would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund. Lautenberg helped contribute to the fund as Vice Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, in 2011.

The letter can be viewed here, and the Senators included the text in their release:

Dear Mr. President:

We write to urge you to support the State of New Jersey’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration in response to the severe storms which hit the State on June 29, 2012.  These storms caused significant power outages and extensive damage in many areas, and New Jersey has requested that the Counties of Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem receive a declaration. 

During the most recent storms, communities in Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem Counties experienced massive power outages and face extensive damage to transportation infrastructure and residential and commercial buildings.  The storms brought intense winds, rain, and lightning, resulting in electricity blackouts that affected over 200,000 New Jersey residents during a period of extremely high temperatures.  Uprooted trees and flooding have caused massive damage to local communities that have already been hit hard by Hurricane Irene and other recent natural disasters.

These storms have placed a significant burden on local governments, businesses, and residents who have been forced to pay for clean-up and recovery costs.  Many of these communities are already facing tight budgets as they continue to recover from previous storms and greatly need financial assistance.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of New Jersey’s request.  We look forward to your prompt action on this important issue.