Menendez, Booker Announce Nearly $8M to Buyout, Elevate Flood-Prone Homes in Wayne, Cranford

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- The office of Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced a total of $7,913,813.33 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support flood resiliency and mitigation projects in Passaic and Union Counties.

"It is absolutely critical that we take proactive steps to protect our communities and vital infrastructure from the threat of future storms and flooding," said Sen. Menendez. "Voluntary buyouts and elevations of flood-prone properties are elements of a broader mitigation and storm resiliency effort to ensure New Jersey and its residents are stronger and better prepared for the next storm. Through sensible mitigation efforts we can save lives, protect families, protect homes and commercial properties, and safeguard entire communities."

"These federal investments are critical to addressing the dangers of flood hazards brought on by severe weather events," said Sen. Booker. "Unfortunately, too many New Jersey communities are vulnerable to repeated flooding, but I am grateful that Cranford and Wayne will get the necessary resources to protect life and property."

- $6,245,250 will be used to acquire and demolish 23 flood-prone homes in Wayne. Once sites are purchased, demolished and restored, the land will be maintained by the Township as open space.

- $1,668,563.33 will be used to elevate six flood-prone homes in Cranford. The properties will be elevated to at least two-feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).

Last Congress, Sen. Menendez introduced a long term, six-year reauthorization of the Sustainable, Affordable, Fair, and Efficient National Flood Insurance Program Act (SAFE NFIP). This bipartisan legislation addresses the lessons learned after Superstorm Sandy to correct the systemic problems within the NFIP, while reframing our nation's disaster paradigm to invest more in prevention and mitigation in order to spare the high cost of rebuilding after flood disasters.