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Obama, Gov. Christie comment on Hurricane Sandy

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    President, New Jersey governor on storm damage

  • Duration 13:36
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Surveying the damage up and down the New Jersey coastline.

-- one together to be able show the president that personally.

-- TC didn't live up to discuss that life.

And then -- over the shelter here and be able to meet with folks have been see the president is concerned.

-- all of us have for making sure that things get back to normal as quickly as possible we have lots challenges.

We're -- -- get back to normalcy.

But some things we need to -- to make sure that we get power restored as quickly as possible.

Picture that people have clean drinking water which were treatment that's a work in hospitals are taking care where they need to -- -- kids back school.

And so -- -- -- those issues today with the president -- -- report that he -- sprung into action immediately.

To help get us those things while we're in the car riding together.

So I want -- thank you for that.

He has worked incredibly closely with me since before the storm hit.

I think this is our sixth conversation.

Since the weekend and it's it's been been great working relationship.

To make sure that we're doing the jobs of people that to us to do.

And I cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern.

And compassion for -- state for the people of our state.

And heard on the phone conversations with them but I was able to witness -- -- personally.

And so we're if you work state government is here where do we need to do we're coordinating with female or effective mr.

few gate for being here for the input he's already had.

It helped to -- -- operation even better.

And we will -- move on from here question yes there really mean.

There's got to be sorrow and you see that in citizens.

Presidency that today in the eyes faces a lot of folks he's that -- -- appropriate.

Who suffered some loss luckily we haven't suffered that -- also life.

And we thank god for that.

But we have suffered losses and this is the worst storm that I've seen in my lifetime in the state.

But we cannot permit.

That sorrow to replace the resilience that I know all teachers and staff.

And so we will.

Get up and we'll get this thing rebuilds don't put things back together because that's what this state is all about those has been all about.

And so for all of you -- were here and I've met a bunch of you today brigantine.

Who disregard my admonition.

Get the hell out of here.

You know we are forgiven this time you're forgiven this -- but not for much longer we not really sure.

When all of you look around you still this destruction that's five but you know what all that stuff can be replaced.

He looks you're right your left to your husband or wife or -- your daughter.

Right those are things that can't be replaced -- so glad that we don't have -- kind of loss of life -- deal -- So wanna thank you for being here today for bring his personal touches to it and it's -- are introduced talking to present states.

Thank -- everybody.

-- just make sure that I acknowledge folks were here because very very played an important role in this.

First of all your.

Congressional delegation senator Bob Menendez.

Senator Frank Lautenberg congressman frank.

Well beyond -- Atlantic county executive Dennis Levinson and bring it to you mayor -- -- You know obviously this is a federal.

State and local effort and the first thing I want to do is just to thank everybody's who's been involved.

In the entire rescue and recovery process.

At the top of my list.

I have to say that our governor Chris -- Throughout this process has been responsive.

He's been aggressive in making sure that the state got out and fought of this incredible storm.

And I think the people of New Jersey recognize.

That he has put his heart and soul and making sure that.

The people New Jersey bounce back.

-- stronger than before so I just want to thank him for his extraordinary leadership.

And partnership brought back to congressional delegation because.

Part of the reason we're -- -- -- respond quickly.

To all this is because they helped make sure that FEMA financing wasn't place.

And we're very -- -- of those efforts.

And you know what -- Greg few -- Sometimes.

You know people.

Just think FEMA -- I don't think the people behind them but -- pleasant breeze.

This stuff making sure that we're providing that help the people so desperately need these situations.

I want to thank all first responders.

Who've been involved in this process of the linesman the firefighters.

The folks who work in here.

Shelling out people who were supposed to get the hell out -- them.

You know you've you've got to save a lot of lives a lot of property.

And you know one thing is that when you you learn in these tragedies.

Is.

The first responders should mind their homes usually are under water to all or their family's been affected.

In some some way and yet -- they make those personal sacrifices to help other people so we really appreciate them.

I'm just gonna make a couple of comments number one.

And and most important.

Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones it's true bit because of some good preparation.

The loss of life.

Was kept.

Lower than it might have been.

But for those individual families.

Obviously.

The other world has been torn apart and we need to make sure that.

Everybody who's lost a loved one knows there and our thoughts and prayers speak for the whole country there.

For those like.

People like to set a good chance to meet on this block of drug New Jersey.

Throughout the region whose lives have been abandoned.

My second message is we are here for you.

And we will not forget we will follow up to make sure that you get all the help that you need until you rebuild.

At this point our main focus is on the State's New Jersey.

Which got hit harder and anybody.

The State of New York particularly.

Lower Manhattan and Long Island.

We are very concerned about.

Some news -- us situations in Connecticut as well and we're still monitoring West Virginia where there are.

Heavy snows and some inaccessible artists but.

You know for the most part those four states are really bearing the brunt.

Of this incredible storm what we've been able to do is to pre position.

And stage.

Commodities water.

Power generators.

Ambulances in some cases food.

Medical.

Supplies.

Emergency supplies.

And we have over 2000.

A field personnel that are on the ground right now.

Their job.

Now there were moving out of the search and rescue phase is to make sure that they are going out in and talking to.

Individual communities so that people know exactly how they can get the help that they need.

-- we expedited.

Our emergency that declarations for the state of New Jersey and local counties that have been affected.

What that means this is the people can immediately start registering for emergency assistance.

And want things -- You emphasize the people of New Jersey and throughout the region.

Now that you know you're safe your family safe but you're trying to figure out but we're gonna stay for the next couple of days etc.

It's very important that you know that there is help available to you right now.

For example to find rental housing or to be able to pay for some groceries.

Over the community -- we saw it.

Young woman revenue more or I guess probably eight month old still -- diapers and formula has run out.

Those are the kinds of basic supplies and help that we can provide.

He if you call 80621.

FEMA.

80621.

FEMA.

Or disaster assistance dot gov if you've got.

Access to the Internet he noted disaster assistance dot -- what that allows you to do is to register right now.

So that you can immediately let's start receiving help you know we want to make sure that you get everything that you need just a couple of final points.

Obviously our biggest very right now is getting power turned back wrong.

We're very pleased that -- got power yesterday.

Jersey City is getting power we believe today.

But there are still big -- in the community including.

This -- right here that don't have power and so if it's hard enough cleaning up.

Debris and deal worth.

Boats that have been up and had you know -- that are blocked.

When people don't have power -- obviously they're disabled in all sorts voice and it's hard to get back to normal.

So.

We did yesterday I had a chance to speak to.

These CEOs of the utilities from all across the country.

And a lot of states that were spared.

-- were were not hard hit or some states as far away as California.

They have pledged to start getting equipment and crews etc.

Here it's a New Jersey.

And New York.

And Connecticut as quickly as possible.

I am one of the things that we've been able to do just to give you a sense of how this small heads back approach were able to get.

C seventeens and C 130s military.

Transport planes potentially to move.

Assets personnel to speed up the process of getting power up and running as soon as possible our first priority is.

-- water filtration plants.

And some other critical infrastructure in the state for that.

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