Many homeowners are still recovering after storms brought floodwaters several feet high just two weeks ago.
Officials from North Plainfield, Dunellen, Green Brook, and Plainfield say that despite similar problems for decades, there has been very little movement on projects aimed at mitigating storm damage.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers proposed the Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project in the wake of two major flooding events in Somerset County back in the early 1970s, but it has languished ever since due to a lack of federal funding.
The officials are also frustrated after being told that, despite the significant damage in their towns from the last storms, it doesn't meet the criteria for FEMA assistance.
The officials also say that population growth is another contributing issue, as many communities are under state mandates to build more affordable housing while being saddled with the environmental impact of the development they have already.
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