PATERSON — President Obama, in his first trip to see the damage wrought by Hurricane Irene, visited flood-ravaged Paterson today and told its hurting yet hopeful residents that federal help was coming despite a brewing battle over funding on Capitol Hill.
“As president of the United States, I want to make it very clear that we are going to meet our federal obligations,” Obama said while standing on a bridge over the swollen Passaic River. “Because we’re one country, and when one part of the country gets affected, whether it’s a tornado in Joplin, Missouri, or a hurricane that affects the eastern seaboard, then we come together as one country and we make sure that everybody gets the help that they need.”
Federal authorities also expanded disaster aid to the entire state today, making every resident and business affected by the storm eligible to apply for federal dollars.
Hurricane Irene caused billions of dollars in damage along the East Coast and led to record flooding in New Jersey after hitting the state last weekend. Paterson, the state’s third-largest city with 145,000 residents and one of its poorest communities, was particularly hard hit when the Passaic River overflowed and forced thousands from their homes.
For Paterson residents, who say their city is often overlooked despite its struggles with poverty and crime like Newark and Camden, Obama’s visit was a sign that someone was paying attention to their woes.
“It will go down in history,” said Charlotte Shepperson, 51, who waited for a glimpse of the president’s motorcade. “Someone cared enough from the White House to come here.”
Obama landed at Newark Liberty International Airport at about noon today and was greeted by Republican Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez (both D-N.J.). Dressed casually in a checkered shirt rolled up at the sleeves, Obama jogged over to a crowd of about 30 people who snapped photos and cheered.
Obama flew by helicopter from Newark to Essex County Airport in Fairfield, then hopped into a motorcade that stopped first on Fayette Avenue in Wayne. The area had been flooded by the Pompton River, and piles of soggy furniture and carpeting lined the street. There were still puddles in some backyards.
Obama, flanked by Christie and other elected officials, shook hands and talked with residents before heading to Paterson. His motorcade of about two dozen vehicles — police cars, black SUVs and an ambulance toward the rear — traveled down Main Street as hundreds cheered.
“It’s very special. I wasn’t going to miss this,” said Cynthia Saunders, 70, who said she staked out her spot on the sidewalk almost five hours before the president arrived.
Obama spoke to reporters on a bridge over the Passaic River connecting Main and Temple streets and then made a final stop at a Lowe’s store on Route 20, where volunteers were providing supplies and food to flood victims.
Although Obama’s visit thrilled many, others were skeptical, knowing that Paterson’s problems go even deeper than the floodwaters did.
“After today, what’s the continuing effort from the mayor, the governor, the congressmen?” said Yemi Bedu, 29.
The 16.4 percent unemployment rate in Paterson is nearly double the state average, and about a quarter of families live below the poverty level — four times the state average.
“People are just making ends meet to begin with,” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th Dist.) said. “And then this catastrophe hits the scene.”
Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones said the city will be dealing with the fallout from the storm for a long time.
“We are just beginning our journey,” he said. “While the waters have subsided, lives are still in turmoil.”
The president returned to Air Force One after less than three hours in New Jersey. Obama and Christie, who has criticized the president in the past but praised his response to Hurricane Irene, shook hands warmly on the tarmac.
Christie did not make any public statements today, but asked on Friday about Obama’s visit, “Everybody knows I’m a Republican and the president’s a Democrat, but these storms are not Republican or Democratic storms.”
Christie has broken with some of his party in Congress, particularly Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, by calling for immediate federal relief rather than insisting that disaster assistance be offset by other cuts in the federal budget. Obama was emphatic that money would be available, and New Jersey’s congressional delegation is gearing up for a fight over funding.
“Now it’s time to take care of New Jerseyans,” Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9th Dist.) said today.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has less than $800 million available for disaster aid. Lautenberg said he’ll push for $5 billion total for all states hit by the hurricane when lawmakers return to Capitol Hill Tuesday.
Menendez, who also lobbied Obama for funding for a study to mitigate flooding in the Passaic River Basin, said “the president made it clear that we’re going to have the money — period.”
Seth Augenstein, Eunice Lee, Steve Strunsky, James Queally and Bill Wichert contributed to this report. This article also includes a pool report from Herb Jackson of The Record.
