Community Corner

Rep. Rush Holt Speaks on Irene

"All of us owe our deepest gratitude to the public servants who worked through the storm to keep our communities safe. My thoughts are especially with the family of Michael Kenwood."

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) released the following statement regarding his survey of the damage caused by Hurricane Irene in central New Jersey: 

“I am surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Irene and speaking to local officials about their own observations.  Traveling by helicopter, by car, and by foot, I have seen that the damage is serious but spotty.  Some neighborhoods have escaped damage, while others have suffered significant flooding.  It is clear that, for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans, the hurricane’s impact is ongoing.  I will continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that our state has every resource it needs to recover. 

“All of us owe our deepest gratitude to the public servants who worked through the storm to keep our communities safe.  My thoughts are especially with the family of , who confronted swift floodwaters in an effort to protect Princeton residents and who, tragically, was swept away and killed.  His sacrifice reminds us of the dangers that our first responders face willingly each day.  My thoughts, too, are with all of the families and businesses who have suffered losses in the storm. 

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“Over the weekend, while volunteering at a shelter in Holmdel, I saw firsthand how countless New Jerseyans gave generously to help those displaced by the storm.  At times like these, we remember that we are one community, and we are united in our resolve to help our friends and neighbors.” 

New Jersey residents whose homes have been affected by flooding are encouraged to follow guidance from FEMA and the Red Cross upon returning home, as dangers may persist even after floodwaters recede. New Jersey-specific information on the disaster response may be found on the website of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.  Up-to-the-minute information on road closures caused by the hurricane may be found at 511nj.org.

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