First Meeting Scheduled For Jersey City Investigation Into SUEZ Storm Response

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City will host a meeting of the ad hoc committee investigating the SUEZ response to Tropical Storm Ida in August.

The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18 and a link to the virtual meeting is published on the city website.

Late last month, the Jersey City Municipal Council unanimously passed a resolution to create an ad hoc committee investigating the SUEZ storm response to Tropical Storm Ida. 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. 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.