WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced $3,767,877.00 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support a flood mitigation and resiliency project in Wayne.

“As more severe storms hit our region, we must take proactive steps to ensure our communities and infrastructure are stronger and better prepared for when the next disaster strikes,” said Sen. Menendez. “Voluntary buyouts is just one part of a broad mitigation strategy that saves lives, protects homes and safeguards entire communities in New Jersey.”

“Unfortunately, too many New Jersey communities are vulnerable to repeated flooding and we must focus on protecting these communities from the devastation of heavy rainfall and extreme weather,” said Sen. Booker. “This federal investment is critical to addressing the dangers of flood hazards and Wayne will be better prepared because of it.”

The funding will be used to acquire and demolish 26 flood-prone homes in Wayne. The properties were damaged as a result of the snowstorm that hit the state in March 2018. The senators previously announced a total of nearly $13 million to buyout 48 homes in the township earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Sen. Menendez introduced the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform (NFIP Re) Act of 2019, which tackles systemic problems with flood insurance, puts it back on solid fiscal ground, and reframes the nation’s entire disaster paradigm to one that focuses more on prevention and mitigation to spare the high cost of rebuilding after flood disasters.

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