Pallone Urges FEMA Take Swift Action For Flood Assistance in Ocean Township

Hurricane Threatens Further Flooding

Washington, D.C. – Concerned about the effects of flooding in Monmouth County on area residents and how another impending storm will make the situation worse, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Thursday toured Poplar Village the area in Ocean Township hardest hit by flooding. Joined by Mayor Bill Larkin and Township Manager Andrew Brannon, Pallone assessed the current flooding which last weekend crested over a 4-foot-high berm and made many homes unlivable.

“Flooding last weekend was significant and for the first time high water levels impacted a second set of buildings on higher ground that have not been impacted before,” said Pallone. “I’m very concerned this is an ongoing problem that is forcing seniors and other residents out of their homes and costing thousands of dollars in damages.”

Homes along Brookside Avenue, in the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartments on Deal Road and properties near Whalepond Brook were all affected by flooding.

Pallone was able to secure $4.4 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the acquisition of 32 residences in Poplar Village. The township has plans to build new structures on higher ground on the upper half of the property to house the residents currently residing in the buildings planned to be demolished. Ocean Township is working with FEMA to ensure that they can build the new structures first, move the residents and then demolish the old structures.

“Relocating cannot come soon enough for these residents who are understandably frustrated with this situation,” Pallone added.