Residents and businesses throughout New Jersey spent the holiday weekend cleaning up the damage caused by last week’s storm. Rescue workers resumed their search for two friends who were swept away in the floodwaters.
Ayush Rana (21 years old) and Nidhi Rana (18 years old) were last seen Wednesday evening as their car started floating towards a place where water flows underground to the Passaic River. Hector Lora, Passaic Mayor, stated in a text Sunday that 12 search boats participated in the search along with a state police helicopter.
Gov. Phil Murphy, who said Saturday night the death toll in the Garden State had reached 27, said at least four people remained missing following what he called a “historic” storm. He stated that he had requested federal assistance before and would continue to request more, “because it is necessary.”
Murphy said that “We had rains in many communities in just two or three hours that was equivalent to what they usually get in a few months or so,” on Sunday’s CBS’s Face The Nation. “This, unfortunately, we believe is part of the future, more frequency, and greater intensity.”
The remnants of Hurricane Ida killed at least 50 people in six Eastern states after it brought historic rain Wednesday that led to deadly flooding and sudden storm waters.
According to the White House, President Joe Biden will be visiting New Jersey and New York City Tuesday to assess storm damage.
Appearing Sunday at a New York City subway stop that sustained heavy flooding, Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer renewed the call for Congress to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a reconciliation bill that would dedicate billions to improving flood resiliency and addressing the broader effects of climate change.
Schumer stated at the 28th Street station that “Ida was yet a wake-up call to New York and a country where too many are hitting snooze on big and bold changes.” Videos showed water flowing down the street onto the station’s tracks and platform.
Schumer stated that each of these hurricanes should be given a name. “It’s high time we get one for ourselves, as a nation that can continue doing the big and hard work that saves the earth and grows our economy.”
Authorities in New Jersey said that one victim died from electrocution while plugging in a generator. Bloomfield police said that Aventino Soares (58), was found on the side of a house at Ampere Parkway around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday.
According to his obituary Soares was a founder member of a non-profit that aims to rebuild a church in Portugal. He arrived in the United States in 1986, and lived in Newark until settling in Bloomfield in 1977. His obituary stated that he is survived by his 41-year-old wife, three children, and many grandchildren.
Friends and colleagues in Connecticut remembered State Police Sergeant. Brian Mohl was a kind and caring person who loved his son’s achievements on the soccer pitch and served as a father figure for younger troopers.
Mohl’s cruiser was found near Woodbury’s Pomperaug River at 3:30 AM Thursday. Initially, the car was found empty by divers. Then, the body of Mohl was found further downstream.
State Police Sergeant. Corey Craft spoke to the Hartford Courant. He was a man behind the scenes with a heart full of gold. “The world lost a great person.”
Mohl will be remembered at a wake on Sept. 8, at the Xfinity Theater, Hartford. His funeral will take place there the day after.
An official from NJ Advance Media told NJ.com that one school in New Jersey will remain closed due to flooding damage for the rest of the year.
Superintendent Michael Burke stated that there is little chance that Cresskill Middle/High School, Bergen County, which has approximately 1,000 students, would be ready before 2022.
He said that state education officials have granted permission for the district to hold virtual classes starting Wednesday. He said that officials are currently looking for classroom locations off-campus and hope to offer in-person learning for “at most some grades” by November.
