Somerset County marks one year since catastrophic Ida flooding
SOMERVILLE – On Thursday’s first anniversary of the historic flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners honored all who suffered losses, responded during the height of the disaster, and provided support for the recovery.
“A year ago today Somerset County was struck by Hurricane Ida flooding that caused incredible damage to property and, sadly, took the lives of six of our neighbors,” Commission Deputy Director Melonie Marano said in a news release. “As terrible as it was for so many in Somerset County, it could have been worse. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the coordinated efforts of first responders, emergency management, public works, non-profits, and the residents who offered a bed, a meal, or a hug to a neighbor in need.”
The commissioners encouraged residents to attend a public meeting at Manville High School from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 to discuss how to most efficiently and effectively allocate an additional $228 million in federal disaster relief dollars provided to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. These funds are intended to address unmet housing, infrastructure, planning, and other needs that have resulted from the effects of Hurricane Ida.
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“It’s fitting this meeting is in Manville, one of the hardest hit communities in the state where many continue to need help recovering from Hurricane Ida,” Commissioner Doug Singleterry said in the release. “We know that those who were affected by the storm have great insight that Trenton and Washington need to hear. Commissioner Marano and I look forward to hearing from many of you at this public hearing.”
Somerset County recently brought on two new leaders for its Public Health and Safety team, adding extensive experience in both disaster preparedness and incident command in Dr. Terry Clancy as the new Director of Public Health and Safety, and Lisa Werner as the new Emergency Management Coordinator and Director.
Clancy comes to Somerset County with more than 25 years of experience, including most recently two decades with the New Jersey Department of Health where she served as the Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services. Clancy oversaw the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mega sites and was involved in the state’s mobilizations for Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida.
Werner most recently served as Planning Section Chief in the New Jersey State Emergency Operations Center where she managed field operations for the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mega sites, and is an active member of state’s All-Hazards Incident Management Team as the Training Specialist and a credentialed Planning Section Chief.
“Somerset County has great people working in our Public Health and Safety department, and the evidence is our ability to simultaneously manage long-term crises like COVID and rapid response disasters like Hurricane Ida,” Singleterry said in the release. “Adding Dr. Clancy and Ms. Werner’s knowledge and experience in local, state, and federal public health, emergency response, and incident command means residents can be certain Somerset County will be even more prepared in the future.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County NJ marks one year since Hurricane Ida flood
