Letter to Craig Fugate, Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency - Superstorm Sandy Funding

Letter

Dear Administrator Fugate,

As elected officials focused on the well-being of our constituents, we join together to call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the deadline for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders to request a review of their claims filed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

We have lived the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and the many challenges involved in rebuilding and recovery. Thousands of residents have not yet returned to their homes, many businesses are still closed, and many survivors continue to undergo serious personal and financial struggles. We are united in our request that you extend this deadline.

Your decision to reopen the claims review process was responsible, given the circumstances clouding many insurance claims. However, significant confusion and frustration remains. It is clear that more time is needed to ensure that Superstorm Sandy survivors are fully informed about the rules governing this process.

FEMA's mission states that the agency exists to support citizens and ensure that we, as a nation, can adequately recover from any disaster. In the case of Superstorm Sandy and the communities we represent, an extended claims review deadline is vital if Sandy survivors are to adequately recover from what has been the biggest natural disaster to ever hit our region. We join together to urge you to extend the claims review process deadline.