WHEREAS, torrential
rains and severe weather conditions occurred in the State of New
Jersey on October 18 through October 21, 1996, bringing more than
seven inches of rain in parts of the State; and
WHEREAS, this
heavy precipitation resulted in severe flooding in the State, with
many of the State's streams and rivers overflowing for a period
of several days, causing substantial damage to structures, property,
roads, bridges, drainage facilities and other facilities and systems;
and
WHEREAS, according
to the U.S. Geological Survey, this event was the flood of record
along the Upper Passaic River; the Passaic River crested above the
100-year flood stage, and the Raritan and its North Branch crested
just below the flood of record, making this the second highest recorded
flood; and
WHEREAS, the
flooding associated with this storm was of such magnitude that many
of the State's roadways were impassable, leaving many residents
stranded and without electrical utilities and heat; and
WHEREAS, due
to the emergent management needed to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the people of New Jersey from the consequences of
the severe flooding, I directed at 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 20,
1996, the activation of the State Emergency Operations Plan, including
the activation of the State Emergency Operating Center in order
that the center coordinate State emergency response and recovery
activity; and
WHEREAS, on
Monday, October 21, 1996, two State Rapid Deployment Teams were
dispatched to the affected areas to assist overwhelmed local authorities
with needs assessment and disaster recovery operations; and
WHEREAS, the
circumstances above constituted a disaster from a natural cause
which threatened and endangered the health, safety and resources
of the residents of one or more municipalities or counties of this
State, and which was in some parts of the State too large in scope
to be handled by the normal municipal operating services;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
do memorialize the declaration and proclamation that a State of
Emergency existed from October 18, 1996 through October 21, 1996,
which emergency necessitated the exercise of emergency powers conferred
upon the Governor of the State of New Jersey, pursuant to the Constitution
and Statutes of the State of New Jersey, particularly the provisions
of the Laws of 1942, Chapter 251 (N.J.S.A. App: 9-30 et seq.) and
the Laws of 1979, Chapter 240 (N.J.S.A. 38A:3-6.1) and the Laws
of 1963, Chapter 109 (N.J.S.A. 38A:2-4) and all supplements and
amendments thereto.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal
this 6th day of November in the
Year of Our Lord, One Thousand
Nine Hundred and Ninety Six, and
of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-First.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Michael
P. Torpey
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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