Sen. Menendez, Reps. Pascrell, Pallone Announce $2.4 Million to Prepare for Flooding

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on Sept. 18:

Today, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $2,419,105 to the state of New Jersey for the purpose of improving and enhancing the state's flooding mitigation infrastructure. Flooding and water damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy caused unprecedented harm to communities throughout New Jersey. Today's federal award will fund the state's Hazard Mitigation Plan to bolster its capacity to implement impactful, cost effective mitigation and resiliency measures in preparation for natural disasters. The scope modifications will include: Flood Plain Compliance and Mitigation Database, Enhanced Dam Risk Assessment, Enhanced Risk Assessment for Coastal Resilience, LiDAR Mapping within the 500 Year Flood Plan.

"Eight years after Superstorm Sandy, New Jerseyans are still coping with the damage and worried about storms on the horizon. This federal grant will make our state more resilient against future disasters and provide New Jersey families with the peace of mind they deserve. This is tremendous news for the Garden State," said Rep. Pascrell. "Our delegation has worked vigilantly to make New Jersey whole again and ensure that our state is protected from future hurricanes. I want to especially thank Senator Bob Menendez and Chairman Frank Pallone for their indispensable leadership on this front. Together, we have long pushed for more federal funding like this in our National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform Act (H.R. 3872/S.2187) to prepare for the next storm. Whether it's to defeat COVID-19 or protect against natural disasters, we will continue bringing home every federal dollar available to support the health and well-being of New Jersey families."

"Although it has been nearly eight years since Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey, we remember vividly the tragedy and destruction that so many of our communities faced," said Sen. Menendez. "As the effects of climate change continue to wreak havoc across the country, it's more important than ever to continue to invest in flood resiliency and mitigation so our state is prepared when another disaster inevitably strikes. That's exactly why we fought so hard for these funds. I also urge Congress to pass my National Flood Insurance Program reform bill, which tackles systemic problems with flood insurance and prioritizes prevention and mitigation to spare the high cost of rebuilding after flood disasters."

"This year's record-breaking hurricane season makes it clear that we must do everything we can to protect our state from the threat of future flooding events. My constituents remember all too well the destructive path that Superstorm Sandy left in our state eight years ago," said Congressman Pallone. "Since then, I've worked with my colleagues to make sure that New Jersey is effectively safeguarded from major storms in the future. This grant will increase New Jersey's resiliency and ability to withstand future storms. I want to thank Congressman Bill Pascrell and Senator Menendez whose leadership on this issue has helped ensure New Jersey will be prepared."

Specifically, this FEMA award will support New Jersey's Flood Plain Compliance and Mitigation Database, Enhanced Dam Risk Assessment, Enhanced Risk Assessment for Coastal Resilience, and Light Detection and Ranging Mapping Plan.

In the years since Superstorm Sandy, Rep. Pascrell has remained vigilant in the fight to rebuild New Jersey and protect against future disasters. In March of last year, Rep. Pascrell testified before the House Committee on Financial Services in support of a long-term National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization that is affordable, helps policyholders prior to a storm, updates the claims process, and holds bad actors accountable. In July, Rep. Pascrell helped introduce legislation to build on his testimony that extends the National Flood Insurance Program and institutes sweeping reforms to make it more sustainable and affordable. In 2018, he introduced disaster tax relief legislation to provide aid to those recovering in the aftermath of natural disasters. Last year, the House passed a tax provision authored by Rep. Pascrell some Sandy victims to amend their claims to seek additional retroactive tax relief. In the days following the storm, he wrote to FEMA Regional Administrator Lynn Canton urging the agency to provide resources to PVSC in order to assist in resuming operations.

Rep. Pascrell has also worked closely with federal agencies to secure critical grants for New Jersey as our state continues to repair and rebuild its infrastructure. In June, Rep. Pascrell joined with state and local officials to unveil the new Moonachie Borough Hall after Pascrell helped secure $4.58 million for repairs to the storm-damaged facility. Rep. Pascrell also lent his support for the New Meadowlands Project in its successful bid for the federal Rebuild by Design project, a federal initiative to develop ideas capable of improving the ecological resilience of coastal areas.