President Joe Biden traveled to New Jersey and New York City Tuesday to survey damage in parts of the northeast that suffered catastrophic flash flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
Biden declared climate change “everybody’s crisis” after touring the neighborhoods severely damaged by Ida. He said it’s time for America to get serious about the danger or face even worse lose of life and property.
He planned to use the muddy backdrop to call for federal spending to fortify infrastructure so it can better withstand such powerful storms, with his plan calling for $1 trillion in infrastructure spending nationwide currently pending in Congress.
Eyewitness News was at JFK International Airport as Air Force One touched down around 11 a.m. The president was greeted by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy before walking the tarmac to Marine One, which took him to his first meeting.
The president met with state and local leaders in Somerset County to discuss their needs, and Murphy made good on his promise to ask Biden to include more counties for federal aid. The current disaster declaration includes Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset counties.
“Essex, Union, Hudson, Mercer, at a minimum,” Murphy said.
“You really took a hit,” he said. “The losses we witnessed were profound.”
To apply for federal assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov/ or call 1-800-621-FEMA.
Biden went house to house in the flood prone section known as the Lost Valley, where front yards are littered with furniture and clothing ruined by the storm. He talked with the residents and hugged a little boy who approached him before walking up to one of the houses that burned down.
Ducking under the yellow tape, he approached the front steps, now leading only to a pile of rubble.
Many businesses on North Main Street have been wiped out, with garbage and debris piled high on curbs. Inside, there are signs of the water that rose two to three feet and destroyed anything in its path. Residents face a long rebuild.
In Manville alone, it will cost millions just to return life to normal for residents and businesses still working to clean up.
Still, folks insist everyone in the town is pulling together to help in this time of need — and they hope the federal government will come through.
President Biden then headed to New York City, where residents in Woodside are still busy throwing out damaged belongings and drying out what they can salvage.
