SUNUNU TOURS STORM-DAMAGED AREAS IN EPSOM, ALTON WITH FEMA NEW ENGLAND ADMINISTRATOR ART CLEAVES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                            CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

7/25/08                                                                                    202-224-2841

                                                                                                LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                                                603-430-9560

SUNUNU TOURS STORM-DAMAGED AREAS IN

EPSOM, ALTON WITH FEMA NEW ENGLAND ADMINISTRATOR ART CLEAVES

ALTON, NH – Following a tour of storm-damaged areas of Epsom and Alton with  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) New England Administrator Art Cleaves, United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (7/25) underscored a continued commitment to helping New Hampshire residents impacted by severe storms that hit New Hampshire Thursday afternoon.

“Friday’s visit with Administrator Cleaves provided an opportunity to see the swath of destruction first hand as well the tremendous response effort of emergency personnel on the ground. Crews have been on the scene all day, but the amount of debris is just amazing. I don't recall ever seeing so many full grown trees simply snapped in half,” said Sununu following a tour of the region. “While we will not have an accurate financial assessment of damages today, Administrator Cleaves presence demonstrates strong commitment from FEMA toward bringing whatever resources are possible to assist the state, communities, families, and business who are suffering from the storm’s destruction.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Brenda Stevens, who perished in the storm,” Sununu continued. “I will remain in close contact with officials to help ensure they have the assistance they need in the recovery and reconstruction phase.”

Sununu’s offices have been in direct contact with local, state, and federal officials since Thursday afternoon. On Friday afternoon, he and Administrator Cleaves met with Epsom Selectperson Joanne Randall for a tour of that town’s damage followed by a visit with Alton Selectperson Pat Fuller to tour that area.