President Obama Approvals Federal Funds For South Jersey Following June 23 Storm

Declaring that a major disaster exists in New Jersey, President Barack Obama approved federal aid to help South Jersey communities recover from the June 23 storm, the White House announced Wednesday evening.

Federal funds are available for state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm that hit Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

Funding is also available for statewide hazard mitigation.

All funding is available on a cost-sharing basis.

Additional funds may become available if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessment, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on Wednesday.

Gov. Chris Christie requested federal funds for the areas hit hardest earlier this month. He estimated that the damage is at least $15 million.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will continue to coordinate the recovery effort with local, county and federal partners in these affected counties, Christie said.

"I am pleased that President Obama has approved New Jersey's application for federal disaster assistance," U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez said. "Last month's severe storm caused extensive damage in four southern counties, destroyed homes, knocked out power and caused a major disruption in people's lives. The federal resources provided under this declaration will help residents and communities pick up the pieces and rebuild."

"This is another vital step in the recovery efforts that are still underway in Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and Atlantic Counties. Snapped trees and branches still litter the region as reminders of that terrifying summer night," Rep. Donald Norcross said.

Straight-line winds caused power disruptions and structure damage throughout South Jersey.

Atlantic City Electric said the outages caused to their customers by this storm was worse than during Superstorm Sandy, as 280,000 customers lost power. During the 2012 derecho, 206,000 customers lost power, and during Sandy, 220,000 customers were without power.

In Camden County, there were more than 1,000 fire calls throughout the county that day, compared to an average day of 100 calls for service, officials said.

The department of Public Safety took in 3,522 calls for service in a 54-hour period during Hurricane Sandy. On June 23, in a six hour window, dispatchers took in almost 70 percent of that volume by recording 2,432 total calls.

The National Weather Service also says a downburst, a collection of hurricane-force winds that is often confused with a tornado, slammed a section of Gloucester County on June 23 in the middle of a damaging, severe thunderstorm.

A downburst can pack the punch of a tornado but without the hard-driving, spiraling winds.

The NWS released a report after doing a survey of the damage at the Gloucester County scene that said the downburst - specifically, a "macroburst" - pounded the region with 85-mph winds.

The report said "straight-line" - not spiraling - winds snapped poles, downed power lines and toppled trees and debris in East Greenwich Township, making many roads impassable.

"Outstanding. It's great news," East Greenwich Mayor George W. Shivery said of the announcement Wednesday. "We sure can use the help. And I thank Congressman Norcross for all his help with this effort."

The most significant damage occurred along East Cohawkin Road, near Pine Mill Road and along Kings Highway. Private residences also suffered minor shingle damage, and there was a report of a blown-over shed in the Clarksboro section.