July 08, 2015
The summer storm system that pounded the Delaware Valley on June 23, leaving nearly 400,000 people without power, was so destructive that the state of New Jersey plans to request federal aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has faced criticism for his adminstration's response to the storm, said late last month that FEMA officials were in the state assessing the damage. According to CBS 3, the state is now ready to submit an application for federal recovery help.
Based on an estimated $20 million in infrastructure damage and cleanup costs, New Jersey's damage meets a FEMA threshold to receive federal aid at 75 cents on the dollar.
After the formal application is completed, including a request for a disaster declaration from the White House, the process is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
