Gov. Murphy Makes Request To President Trump For Federal Flooding Relief Assistance
LITTLE FALLS/WOODLAND PARK, NJ – Gov. Murphy has made a formal request to President Trump for Federal aid for Bergen, Essex, Ocean, Monmouth and Passaic counties for residents and businesses impacted by recent flooding.
The assistance would include aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Association (SBA) relief.
“On behalf of the Woodland Park and Little Falls communities, I want to sincerely thank Gov. Phil Murphy, the State Police and Office of Emergency Management and our legislative team for their support in the aftermath of the recent flood event,” said Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark.
“I am thrilled that this administration has got the backs of the residents during this time of need,” Little Falls Mayor James Damiano said.
“While New Jersey has experienced flooding in the past, the intensity of the storm on Aug. 11 required extraordinary measures, which strained the resources of the state and several counties,” Gov. Murphy wrote in the letter.
Severe flash flooding locally occurred on Aug. 11 following five inches of rain falling in approximately one hour, creating a massive deluge from the Peckman River. The situation was exacerbated in the area by a pile up of over 40 vehicles at the Route 46 Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership that were swept with the current into the river and, ultimately, into the Rt. 46 highway bridge.
In Little Falls, about 190 residences were damaged by the flooding with 20 of those homes rendered uninhabitable and residents displaced. Damiano estimated the residential damage was over $4.9 million.
In Woodland Park, some 210 homes and 75 businesses sustained flood damage, according to Kazmark. He estimated that the flooding caused about $3.5 million in damage. Municipal facilities affected include the McBride Pump Station, the Boys & Girls Club/Senior Center, Dowling Park and Memorial Field.
“I call on all impacted residents and business owners to contact Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, and both our United States Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker to request their support for this much needed aid,” Kazmark added.