Areas across Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer and Burlington counties were ravaged by widespread torrential rain, flooding and power outages during and following Hurricane Irene, which struck the Garden State Aug. 27-28.

    Congressman Chris Smith visited affected areas, and has stayed in contact with local officials before and after the hurricane. His office has been working with municipal, county and state officials both before and after the storm struck, as well as federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

    “This is the worst flooding I’ve seen in my years in office,” Smith said. “It has been an historic storm that has done enormous damage. Not everyone has been hurt by the hurricane, but those who have been hurt have been hurt severely. The damage is overwhelming.”

    After touring areas on the ground Sunday and today, Smith joined other officials to view the damage from a N.J. State Police helicopter. Click here to view a News12 New Jersey report interviewing Cong. Smith.

    One rescue worker sustained fatal injuries during a water rescue attempt in Mercer County. Two men died off the beach in Ocean County.

    “I extend my deepest sympathy to those who have suffered losses due to Hurricane Irene,” the congressman said. “My office will help in any way we possibly can.”

    Any constituent with questions or looking for assistance can call the Congressman’s Monmouth County/Ocean County Constituent Service Center at (732) 350-2300, or the Mercer/Burlington County Constituent Service Center at (609) 585-7878.