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President Biden warned Americans on Tuesday that the deadly devastation of Hurricane Ida is a sure sign that a nation and the world are “in danger” from climate change and said drastic action will be needed to prevent extreme weather conditions from worsening.
“They all tell us it’s code red,” said Mr Biden, of a neighborhood in Queens, citing growing scientific research that suggests more Americans are vulnerable to extreme weather events. “The nation and the world are in danger. And this is no exaggeration. This is real.”
The trip gave Mr. Biden another opportunity to demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to storm response and build support for an infrastructure package it has promised will help protect against future storms. Besieged by New York senators, majority leader Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mr Biden said the bipartisan agreement would include funds to repair roads and bridges, while also investing in climate resilience.
“Climate change poses an existential threat to our lives, to our economy, and the threat is here,” he said. “It won’t get any better. The question is: Can it get worse?”
On the same day as Mr. Biden’s visit, the White House sent Congress an “urgent” funding request of $14 billion to help recover from the natural disasters that preceded Hurricane Ida and prevent a government shutdown on Oct. Billions of dollars more funds will be required to respond to Hurricane Ida, and also including $6.4 billion to help process Afghan refugees overseas and in the US.
“The Administration is committed to providing the necessary funding to help affected states and tribes recover from recent extreme weather events and natural disasters,” Shalanda Young, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a letter to Congress. Said. “We expect Hurricane Ida to significantly increase the need for more disaster response funds by at least $10 billion.”
After arriving in New Jersey, Mr. Biden traveled to Somerset County with Governor Phil Murphy, where he toured an emergency management training center and a floodplain neighborhood in Manville. caused explosions and fires in buildings. Ida killed at least 25 people In New Jersey – more deaths than any other state – and several people are still missing. Mr. Biden’s trip arrived four days later. visited Louisiana to investigate the damage there from Ida.
As the President made his way from the airport to Manville, his convoy passed the still smoldering remains of the Saffron Banquet Hall, a building that exploded early Friday morning after the floodwaters had nearly swallowed it. The banquet hall sign was still standing, but it was crooked and a torn “Grand Opening” banner hung. Nearby, a spray-painted sign held by police tape reads “Help Manville Heal.”
At times a 10-foot-high pile of rubble stretched almost all the way from the edge of Manville to downtown. There were piles of broken furniture and appliances; dirt-covered toys, including a human-sized teddy bear; mounds of rotting drywall. Residents and business owners had dragged these items from their flood-damaged buildings to the pavement, and no one was sure when or how the piles would be removed.
Daniel Lopez, 42, lives with his girlfriend, Liz Davis, one block from Manville’s main street. They expected trouble from Hurricane Ida because Manville is known for flooding and bad flooding. Mr Lopez, a locksmith, said he has had four floods since his family moved into the house in 1991. “But it has never been so catastrophic,” he said.
“The flood gets worse every time,” said Mr Lopez. “Many of the shops on Main Street are deserted because of this. The people here can’t take much more than that, but the rest, we’re strong and we’ve been through a lot.”
As Mr. Biden toured the neighborhood, a group of supporters of former President Donald J. Trump visited families while shouting at him from afar.
“Thank God you’re safe,” Mr. Biden told a family whose house was destroyed in a fire.
The President then traveled to Queens, where several people died in flooded basement apartments. Climate change has made low-lying dwellings particularly dangerous: 13 people found dead in storms in New York, were in at least 11 basement units, according to the city’s Department of Buildings.
Prior to Mr. Biden’s arrival on the block, large American flags were flown at nearly every stop on the northeast side of 88th Street near Astoria Boulevard.
“Energy brings hope. These people need hope,” said Sergio Bertoni, 61, pointing to his neighbors’ houses. “The President is the only person who can help right now.”
The governors of New York and New Jersey said on Monday, Biden administration given federal aid moneyAfter heavy rains and catastrophic flooding last week, both states declared areas major disaster areas.
Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency means that those who have left their homes due to the storm in approved countries, including those without insurance coverage, will be eligible to receive money to repair their homes. Officials from both states said it would also cover legal services, unemployment benefits and crisis counseling.
In New York and New Jersey, advocates of harsher climate measures hope the disaster will give impetus to new crises. situation and local climate laws and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to overcome opposition to broader proposals.
Anne Barnard and Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributing reporting. Juliet Macur Reported from Chelsia Rose Marcius of Manville, NJ and Queens.
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