TRENTON, NJ - Governor Chris Christie today announced that the federal government has approved disaster assistance for eight New Jersey counties impacted by the severe early-season storm that occurred on October 29, 2011. The counties of Cape May, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren have been approved for aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program. In addition, federal funding is available for Hazard Mitigation and risk reduction measures in all 21 counties.

"This storm presented significant challenges to local governments, including debris clearance requiring public works and public safety expenditures, well before our normal winter storm season even began," said Governor Christie. "This assistance will provide needed relief to ease the burden the storm had on county and municipal budgets in the hardest hit areas."

Eligibility under the Public Assistance Program allows the State, county and local governments, and certain eligible private nonprofit organizations to apply for assistance on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm. New Jersey Office of Emergency Management officials are scheduling meetings in the designated counties regarding the application process.

State and local emergency management officials are currently managing the recovery related to four other active Presidential Disaster Declarations. More information about these declarations, and the recovery process, can be found online at:

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s NJ page: http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters_state.fema?id=34

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website: www.ready.nj.gov

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