Federal Response To Sandy Fails To Pass Muster

Next month marks a year since Superstorm Sandy came barreling into New Jersey, devastating many areas and changing our landscape forever. 

Several local officials from around Ocean County remain frustrated with the federal response.  As a result, they took their concerns directly to their Congressman.  Some would argue that the overall actions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) failed to pass muster.

Whether it was the constant staff turnover, unclear deadlines, uncertainty with flood elevation maps, redundancies and even a change in policy, FEMA doesn't get a passing grade from many locals.

3rd District Congressman Jon Runyan (R) held a roundtable discussion in Beachwood yesterday at the community center.  In attendance were Senator Chris Connors, Assemblywoman Diane Gove, Assemblyman Brian Rupf, Brick Township Mayor Steve Acropolis, Lacey Township Mayor David Most, Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato, Beachwood Mayor Ron Roma and several Toms River council members.

The main issue was over the lack of communication on FEMA's part.  Runyan says "they should have come in and made some kind of introduction.  Instead, there was a whole level of confusion that was just not needed.  It caused more problems than good as a result."

Some felt like New Jersey had and is still paying the sins of Hurricane Katrina which happened back in 2005.  They are still waiting on flood maps of their own to be finalized.