O'Toole Asks FEMA For Tropical Storm Lee Disaster Declaration

Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40) sent a letter [Friday] to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that the residents of Essex, Passaic and Bergen Counties be included on the list of New Jersey counties qualifying for disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Lee. The content of the letter follows:

Dear Administrator Fugate:

Tropical storm Lee's record rainfall caused significant flooding damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure in Northern New Jersey.  This flooding occurred mere weeks after New Jersey was devastated by Hurricane Irene. 

In fact, New Jersey has received 100 percent more ran in August and September than ever before. State climatologist David Robinson has characterized the rainfall as nothing short of epic. He continued that: "What we have recorded recently is so far off the charts that statistically it looks like it's something that occurs every 1,000 years."

Because of the severity and the duration of the flooding I respectfully urge you to include the residents of Essex, Passaic and Bergen Counties to be included on the list of New Jersey counties qualifying for a disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Lee.

The combination extreme flooding and strong winds ruined infrastructure across the region. Additionally, high winds, combined with saturated soils caused trees and other vegetation to bring down power lines. This combination of factors has severely strained resources available to  county and municipal governments.

The record flooding damaged to homes and businesses. It has also displaced families further straining  budgets and depleting savings during a very difficult economic climate.

As you might imagine, people continue to suffer the effects of these storms, particularly the young, old or infirm.

Further, flooding has caused extreme damage to regions transportation network including the closure of major roadways.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward towards speaking with you on this issue in the immediate future.

Sincerely,

Kevin O'Toole

Senator, 40th Legislative District