Biden tours storm-ravaged Queens street

President Joe Biden speaks as he tours a neighborhood impacted by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, in Queens.  AP Photo/Evan Vucci

By Rachel Vick

President Joe Biden came to Queens Tuesday to assess the damage left by last week’s storm, which left over ten Queens residents dead.

After the devastation of Queens’ infrastructure, homes and loss of life, the president announced that the federal government will step in to help with recovery.

Biden arrived Tuesday as part of a tour of the states impacted by the force of Hurricane Ida days after signing the order to release funds for Queens and other impacted areas.

Speaking along 23rd Street in East Elmhurst, the president said that those affected by the storm are too often the recipients of hardships, something he hopes to change.

“They’re always the first ones who are hurt and the last ones that are helped – but that’s not going to happen this time,” Biden said. “I wish every American could walk down this alley with me to see and talk to the people who have been devastated, just talk to them. None of them were shouting or complaining, every one of them were thanking me...as if it was something special that I was here.”

Dozens of local residents came to the intersection in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the

president.

Some had to take a break from cleaning out their flooded basements to take part in the excitement.

“My basement was a total disaster,” said Chet Girdhari. “Everything for the past three days has to be dumped in the garbage and I'm still doing that [today]. I have never witnessed a flood like this… it was like a river coming down.”

The amount of water in front of his house had doubled in the time it took for him to check the water levels behind his house.

Many residents of the East Elmhurst neighborhood, like Girdhari, felt that Biden’s appearance was a positive sign and a show of good faith for the hard hit and often overlooked community.

“We need somebody of high profile to come and spotlight what has been going on,” Girdhari, who has lived on 89th Street for almost 30 years, said.

“If we could get government help to compensate everyone in the area that would be tremendous help because insurance gives the runaround… it’s not an easy process,” he added. “Hopefully it’ll turn out better for everybody.”

Queens residents watch as President Joe Biden departs East Elmhurst on Tuesday.  Eagle photo by Rachel Vick

Funding from the federal government will be made available to provide grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. It will also be available to state, tribal and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair of facilities damaged by the storm.

Andrew Lopez, who lives in a nearby basement apartment that was flooded knee high, said that though the federal relief was a clear win and he had already replaced some of the most important items lost, the next steps were unclear.

“It’s been a lot,” Lopez said. “We didn't look into [federal aid] but we did look into housing insurance. I think I do need help on accessing those resources, because I had no idea.”

The president added that the federal relief dollars are going to go to those who need it most.

“We're gonna make sure the relief is equitable so those hardest hit get what they need,” Biden said Tuesday during his visit to New Jersey. ”We know there's more to do and that's why we’re here.”

Biden, who has seen several natural disasters since taking office less than a year ago, said that climate change needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

“The climate threat is here and it’s not going to get any better,” he said. “The question is whether or not it's going to get any worse.”

A group of climate advocates gathered across the street to call on the president and other elected officials in attendance to take stronger action in the fight against climate change.

“I live a couple blocks down, we were fine but everyone else was struggling,” said Kea Answar “I feel like a lot of this is just a publicity stunt… you spend so much money on organizing this whole setup, you could have just given the relief.”

The storm caused more than $50 million in damage across the state, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"I saw the devastation of New Yorkers who lost so much from this storm, and I pledged that we would do everything in our power to help them rebuild," Governor Hochul said. "I thank President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell for their swift approval of a Major Disaster Declaration, which provides a promise that we will build back better and stronger.”

In addition to up to $36,000 in FEMA funds, New York City residents can access temporary hotel shelter for homeowners and renters, free water pumping from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection and Red Cross debit cards to replace personal items.

More information on accessing aid and filing claims is available at ny.gov/ida.