|
Oceanport, NJ -– Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today conducted a roundtable discussion with federal, state, and local officials, corporate representatives, and the American Red Cross to assess hurricane preparedness in Central New Jersey.
“At some point, the Northeast will be hit by a severe hurricane, and we cannot afford to become complacent about this danger,” said Rep. Holt. “I want to be certain that government at all levels is communicating and planning, and that businesses and individuals know how to prepare and to respond.”
The hurricane preparedness roundtable comes as America memorializes the victims of Hurricane Katrina and reflects on the failure to plan and respond effectively for the storm. According to weather experts, the Northeast U.S. may experience a major hurricane, and if a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane hit Central New Jersey, the result would be catastrophic: potential losses could exceed $200 billion and cripple the U.S. economy.
The roundtable discussion included representatives from many agencies and organizations with preparedness responsibilities. Participants included representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, NJ State Police, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Monmouth County officials, and local mayors and emergency management coordinators. Rep. Holt also welcomed the American Red Cross and a New Jersey business owner, who presented a corporate perspective on hurricane recovery.
“Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster, but the response was a national embarrassment,” said Holt. “When the Northeast experiences a severe storm, we must do better. It is essential to plan now so that we can respond quickly and efficiently.”
### |
|
