5 Billion Gallons of Sewage Overflowed to N.J. Post-Sandy, Report Says

18 of 20 largest sewage spills in the northeast were reported in New Jersey and New York.

New Jersey saw approximately 5.1 billion gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage flow into waterways in the weeks and months following Superstorm Sandy, according to new data released by Climate Central. In total, the eight states hardest-hit by the storm had 11 billion gallons flow into canals, rivers and bays. "To put that in perspective, 11 billion gallons is equal to New York’s Central Park stacked 41 feet high with sewage, or more than 50 times the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The vast majority of that sewage flowed into the waters of New York City and northern New Jersey in the days and weeks during and after the storm," the Climate Central report said. Data included in the report was compiled from state agencies and …

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Hurricane Sandy Update: Personal Observations

A Patch blogger surveys the lingering damage of Hurricane Sandy in Seaside Heights and Oceangate.

Pubs Pouring 'FU Sandy' Draft for Hurricane Victims

All proceeds from merchandise and beer sales benefit storm charities.

Pub dwellers can raise a pint and raise money for superstorm Sandy victims with the debut of FU Sandy draft. The hybrid white ale (the FU stands for Forever Unloved, of course) is a special brew created by New Jersey's own Flying Fish Brewing Co. All proceeds are dedicated to Sandy-related charities, and Flying Fish hopes to raise at least $50,000 from beer and merchandise sales. Flying Fish founder Gene Muller said the brewery "knew immediately that we wanted to do something to help" after Sandy struck, the Huffington Post reports. "Every single aspect of this beer, from the man-hours spent brewing it to the hops used to season it to the kegs that will contain it, has been donated so every cent brought in goes to superstorm Sandy victims…

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Flood Insurance Program Backlog Worries NJ Politicians

State Congressional delegation pens letter to FEMA administrator saying agency "failing our constituents."

New Jersey’s Congressional delegation this week sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate expressing their concern over the backlog of claims involving the National Flood Insurance Program. “New Jerseyans have suffered tremendous hardships since Hurricane Sandy struck last fall.  We must do everything we can to respond to them as quickly as possible, but right now the National Flood Insurance Program is failing our constituents,” the letter read in part. Members of the delegation who signed the letter include Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez as well as Reps. Jon Runyan (R-3rd District), Scott Garrett (R-5th District), Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd District), Rush Holt (D-12th District), …

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50 Porsches Among Sandy-Damaged Vehicles

NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Division of Consumer Affairs launch database of vehicles damaged by the storm.

More than 50 Porsches, five Rolls Royces and three Ferraris are among the thousands of flood-damaged and salvaged vehicles collected in a new database in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and Division of Consumer Affairs has announced a partnership designed to help the public determine whether they are unknowingly purchasing a vehicle damaged by the storm. According to a release from the Attorney General's Office, there was a 6,000 percent spike in flood-damaged and salvage vehicle titles throughout the past three months, following the storm. According to state law, if a vehicle has suffered such damage that it is not practical to repair or it has been declared a loss by the insurer, the owner of …

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$9.7 Billion Sandy Funding Approved By Congress

U.S. House of Representatives approved funding for the National Flood Insurance Program.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure late Friday afternoon allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to borrow $9.7 billion to pay insurance claims made by victims of Hurricane Sandy. The bill, HR 41, temporarily increases the borrowing authority of FEMA to allow the agency to carry out payment claims made by property owners to the National Flood Insurance Program.  Congress moved to approve the funding stop-gap Friday after concerns were raised that aid for Sandy victims had been delayed too long. The House, specifically, Majority Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, came under fire for tabling a Sandy aid package until after the New Year.   Congress is expected to vote on two additional bills authorizing more than $…

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Michael

12:24 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013

LMAO Cletus   more ›

'Toxic' GOP House Politics to Blame for Sandy Aid Delay, Christie Says

Governor delivers harsh words for Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gov. Chris Christie is placing blame for the lengthy delay in approval of a Hurricane Sandy Relief bill squarely on the shoulders of combative U.S. House of Representative Republicans, specifically Speaker John Boehner. Christie offered a scathing rebuke of Boehner and waffling Republicans during a press conference in Trenton Wednesday afternoon, saying Congress has failed in its primary purpose, to protect its own citizens. Residents of New York and New Jersey are being used as pawns in a game of politics, he said, and that's why this country's citizens "hate" Washington D.C. "Last night, politics was placed before help for our citizens," Christie said. "For me, it was disappointing and disgusting to watch." Christie said he and New York …

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FourScore

8:50 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013

So Robert, you think that if Christie had snubbed Obama for political reasons, instead of doing what was in the best interest of the state, NJ voters would have been more likely to elect him to a 2nd term??? Considering that Christie’s approval ratings are through the roof in NJ right now, I would say that your POV is a little backwards.   more ›

Bloomfield Nets 10 Workers for Post-Sandy Cleanup

Jobs created through federal Hurricane Sandy recovery grant

Nine towns in Essex County are getting a helping hand in post-Sandy recovery efforts thanks to a nearly $421,000 federal grant that will create 105 temporary jobs. The money - awarded to Bloomfield, Belleville, Caldwell, Fairfield, Irvington, Livingston, Nutley, East Orange, Orange, the East Orange Water Commission and the Essex County government - is part of $15.6 million awarded to New Jersey by the Federal Hurricane Sandy Disaster National Emergency Grant. It will be used to fund 1,300 jobs in 16 counties across the state. "The intent of the funding is to allow government agencies to hire unemployed people to help the state, counties and towns in their clean-up efforts,” said Harold J. Wirths, commissioner of the state's Department of …

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Proceeds From Holiday Home Tour to Benefit Jersey Shore Schools

Essex Fells PTA and Essex Fells Foundation for Educational Excellence will donate 50% of proceeds from Dec. 11 fundraiser to help rebuilding schools affected by storm.

The Essex Fells PTA and the Essex Fells Foundation for Educational Excellence have announced that 50% of proceeds from the upcoming Holiday Home Tour and Boutique will be donated to New Jersey schools impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The second annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The self-guided house tour, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offers a rare opportunity to peek inside eight exclusive Essex Fells' homes. The smallest community in Essex County has just over 700 homes with an average age of 59 years and a median home value of $1.6 million. Tickets can be purchased in advance ($45) or on the day of the tour ($50) at the Essex Fells Country Club, 219 Devon Road, Essex Fells. The Holiday Boutique at the…

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