Obama pledges aid for Irene recovery

Associated Press

PATERSON, N.J.

President Barack Obama stood on a bridge overlooking the rain-swollen and fast-rushing Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey’s third-largest city, and said Sunday the federal government would work to rebuild towns recovering from Hurricane Irene’s wrath.

The Passaic, which had washed over the bridge, swept through the once- booming factory town of 150,000, flooding the downtown area and forcing hundreds to evacuate. More than 100 people had to be rescued from the rising waters.

“You know, it could have been worse. But we should not underestimate the heartache that’s going through a lot of these communities, affecting a lot of families,” Obama said.

In nearby Wayne, the president made his way down Fayette Avenue, walking past flooded homes. Piles of water-damaged debris littered the curb.

The Passaic crested at twice its flood stage at a record 14 feet, depositing debris and muddy water stains on buildings and homes across Paterson.

“The entire country is behind you,” Obama said after viewing the destruction. “We are going to make sure that we provide all the resources that’s necessary in order to help these communities rebuild.”

The Obama administration says that under the terms of last month’s budget deal, Congress can provide more than $11 billion in disaster aid next year without finding offsetting budget cuts, as demanded by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and other Republicans.