NH Politicians Pushing for Disaster Aid After Storms

This summer, New Hampshire has been pounded by abnormally destructive storms. Hardest hit may have been Belknap County which, in addition to the July 24 tornado, suffered heavy rains last week that resulted in severe flooding.

Today Senator John Sununu met with the Belknap County Police Chiefs Association to be briefed on the status of the community and to assess the damage.

“The severe storms in July and August caused massive destruction in many parts of the State, but Belknap County has been particularly hard-hit, first by the tornado and then by heavy rainfall,” said Senator Sununu in a statement. “This meeting is a good opportunity for me to talk to the local police chiefs about the damage in their communities and the recovery efforts which are now underway. This week’s disaster declaration will provide federal funds to help the State and local governments remove debris and repair roads and infrastructure in Belknap, Carroll and Rockingham counties. However, the disaster declaration is open-ended, and the state can still submit additional information to support its request for assistance to other counties and to individuals who have suffered losses, as well as documentation of additional damage caused by last week’s storms. I stand ready to work with local, state and federal officials in that effort.”

The flashfloods that happened on the 7th of this month killed a 7-year-old-girl who was trapped in a car that was swept away by the swollen Ames Brook in Ashland. Dozens of residents had to be evacuated from homes that were at risk. Roads have been washed out and many more were covered in debris from the storm this month, building on the damage caused by the tornado. Financial and manpower strains have been mounting on local public departments throughout the area.

Earlier this week, federal aid was approved for Belknap, Carroll, and Rockingham counties. Merrimack and Strafford counties were not given federal funds, nor were requests for individual assistance. Governor Lynch, Senators Sununu and Gregg, as well as Representatives Hodes and Shea-Porter are all pushing for more federal assistance.