Governor Mikie Sherrill has asked President Donald Trump for a federal major disaster declaration to help Monmouth, Atlantic, and Cape May counties recover from the Nor’easter that struck New Jersey in September.
FEMA validated preliminary damages were $13.8 million in Cape May County, $8.5 million in Monmouth County, and $4.7 million in Atlantic County. All three exceeded their per capita indicator of damage set by FEMA by between nearly three times in Monmouth County to thirty times in Cape May County, according to Sherrill’s office
If a major disaster is granted, it would allow the state and impacted counties to pursue FEMA Public Assistance grants to reimburse costs related to the storm. The request also seeks Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to support projects that strengthen communities against future storms.
“We are working to ensure our coastal communities have the resources they need to recover from the September Nor’easter,” Sherrill said. “We hope the Administration will do its part so these communities can rebuild.”
This request follows one made last week by the Sherrill administration for federal assistance under Public Law 84-99 to repair eligible U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects damaged by the storm. FEMA’s Public Assistance program would help provide critical disaster relief for damaged areas of the coast not under Army Corps authority.
