Menendez, Lautenberg Urge President To Support Federal Disaster Declaration For South Jersey Communities Hit By June Storms

NEWARK - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today urged President Obama to approve New Jersey's request for a federal disaster declaration related to damage caused byseverestormsthat hit the statein late June.The request includes three counties: Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem.

"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."Many of these communities are already facing tight budgets as they continue to recover from previous storms and greatly need financial assistance."

If approved, the declaration would free upfederal funding to reimburselocal governments and individualsfor their recovery and rebuilding efforts.Themoneywould come from FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which Senator Lautenberg helped fund last year as Vice Chairman of theSenateHomeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

The letter can be viewedhereand the text is included below:

July 12, 2012

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

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.

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