Jersey City Will Form A Committee Investigating SUEZ's Response To Tropical Storm Ida

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City took the first step Wednesday night into investigating the SUEZ response to Tropical Storm Ida.

The Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night, to create an ad hoc committee investigating the SUEZ storm response. Jersey City was hit with 6.5 inches of rain during Ida, with preliminary damage estimates in the city totaling $35 million, not including private property damage.

The immense flooding in the city forced a boil water advisory across the city and parts of Hoboken for 72 hours. SUEZ said the advisory was to ensure the water was safe for residents in the wake of the flooding and reassured residents that SUEZ reps would be in the city to distribute clean water in the meantime.

SUEZ announced they would be distributing water at 9 a.m. on Sept. 3rd but didn't arrive with water until hours later. The distribution sites ran out of water almost immediately, leaving residents without clean water for hours.

City Council President Joyce Watterman and Councilmember James Solomon spearheaded and introduced the resolution, which was supported by all councilors.

SUEZ Senior Vice President Richard W. Henning issued a statement immediately following the council's announcement of the planned committee:

"As we have said previously, Hurricane Ida was an unprecedented storm event that caused extensive damage to water systems throughout the region and we are proud of the steps our team took to immediately identify the issue, repair the damage and work collaboratively with the State DEP and MUA to ensure resident safety. SUEZ is committed to identifying areas of improvement in our emergency response and finding ways to better serve our valued customers in Jersey City. We will fully cooperate with the City Council's efforts and continue our productive dialogue with city officials on how to ensure that Jersey City residents always have access to safe, clean drinking water."

The City Council is able to designate any number of its members as an ad hoc committee to investigate any matter. Upon the completion of the investigation, the Committee will issue recommendations and ensure changes are implemented to improve Jersey City's and SUEZ's emergency preparedness and response for similar events in the future.

Past Jersey City Ida Coverage:

• PHOTOS: Jersey City Cleanup Commences As Floodwaters Subside
• Jersey City Councilors Propose Committee To Investigate SUEZ
• Hudson County Added To FEMA Disaster List Post-Ida
• Jersey City: Keep Reporting Ida Damage, Use Emergency Resources
• Jersey City Sustains $35M In Storm Damage; FEMA Assessing