It has now been nearly five months since this catastrophic storm, yet many families are still struggling to rebuild their homes and many businesses are wondering whether they’ll be able to survive the year.
Welcome, Administrator Fugate. It has been my pleasure working with you over the past four years, particularly with your efforts to return the Urban Areas Security Initiative to its congressional intent and your support for our first responders.
I commend you on your response to Superstorm Sandy, which took the lives of more than 100 Americans, damaged 305,000 homes in New York alone, devastated businesses and crippled infrastructure along the East Coast. You managed the storm with a steady hand, and I also sincerely appreciate your updating Members frequently so we could communicate important updates to our local partners on the ground and get the resources quickly into hard-hit communities.
It has now been nearly five months since this catastrophic storm, yet many families are still struggling to rebuild their homes and many businesses are wondering whether they'll be able to survive the year. You and I know that rebuilding cannot be a decade-long path; our communities must begin rebuilding without delay.
Earlier this week I attended meetings between local elected officials and FEMA representatives in my district to discuss Sandy recovery and updated flood maps. One of the common concerns I heard is that as families and businesses start to rebuild, there is uncertainty regarding what standards should be used to comply with Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps. My constituents, who are acting in good faith, are attempting to rebuild structures to withstand future disasters, do not know with certainty what the standards will be or how they will impact their flood insurance rates. This uncertainty is standing in the way of rebuilding. I look forward to discussing this more.
I am also concerned that the sequester could impede this disaster response. As you know, the sequester is expected to take a $1 billion bite out of the Disaster Relief Fund. While funds should be available for those who suffered damage in Sandy, FEMA continues to play an active role in the recovery of other areas devastated by natural disasters. These weather events are not a coincidence. Hurricanes, flooding, and droughts are becoming more frequent and more severe. I am concerned that the sequester could limit future funding as the year progresses. Victims of natural disasters should not be victims of political consequence, and we cannot allow the sequester to neglect those most in need.
Again, I'd like to thank you for coming before the Subcommittee today. I'd also like to thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price for holding this important hearing and for their support to New York, New Jersey, and the surrounding states as we rebuild.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
