Senator Carper Reaches Out To Glenville Flood Victims

Delaware/Washington – Today, Senator Tom Carper spoke with and sent a letter to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Under Secretary Michael Brown, alerting him to the devastating damage in Glenville and the surrounding communities. Carper also expressed concern that the devastation in Delaware will get much worse as Hurricane Isabel approaches. Today, members of Senator Carper’s staff, including his state director, toured the destruction in Glenville, where 186 homes in the community were declared unsafe or uninhabitable by New Castle County building inspectors. Four years ago, when this same neighborhood was hit hard by Hurricane Floyd, then-Gov. Carper lent his support in helping the community get back on its feet. Today, Senator Carper is doing all he can on a federal level to once again help the flood victims. “This is an all too familiar sight for Glenville and the surrounding communities. My heart goes out to these residents, many of whom are reliving this nightmare all over again,” said Carper. “I will do what I can in Washington to ensure that members of this community get all of the aid they need.” Attached, is a copy of the letter Senator Carper sent to FEMA Under Secretary Michael Brown. –MORE- September 17, 2003 Mr. Michael Brown Under Secretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Mr. Under Secretary: The State of Delaware suffered severe flooding this week from heavy rain that has devastated parts of northern Delaware. In New Castle County, hundreds of homes, businesses, and other structures in Glenville and surrounding communities have currently been deemed unsafe. Immediate assistance with shelter, clothing, and food is needed. Delaware emergency management officials are further assessing the damage from that event and I ask that you work closely with them to help with the recovery. As Hurricane Isabel approaches the Mid-Atlantic, the need to respond quickly to those displaced by Monday’s floods only intensifies. I cannot over emphasize the urgency of this request to mobilize sufficient resources and personnel to assist the State of Delaware in caring for these residents, and also to prepare them for additional flooding expected later this week from Hurricane Isabel. Committing the full resources of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the immediate needs of this population is critically important and should be our top priority. I realize Hurricane Isabel is only hours away and that FEMA is preparing for its impact. However, I urge you to do everything you can to help the residents of Delaware who have already suffered a significant loss from Monday’s storm. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely yours, Thomas R. Carper United States Senator