Ocean County Towns Will Get Help On January Blizzard Costs, Official Says

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- Ocean County towns and the county government are eligible to receive federal assistance after President Barack Obama's major disaster declaration last week, U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur said Monday.

“New Jersey is no stranger to severe storms or natural disasters,” said Congressman MacArthur. “I want to make sure that the people of South Jersey know we are available to answer any questions and assist in any way possible in the claims process.”

The January snowstorm dropped nearly two feet of snow in Ocean County and as much as three feet in other areas of the state. In addition to the heavy, wet snow, the storm packed powerful winds and knocked out power to more than 270,000 people across the state. Residents in some areas of Brick and Toms River were without power for more than two days while road crews tried to clear roads so Jersey Central Power & Light crews could restore service.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program will provide grants for emergency work and the repair or replacement of eligible public facilities damaged by the disaster. Additionally, emergency “snow assistance” will be provided to allow reimbursement for eligible snow-related expenses.

Last month, MacArthur joined a bipartisan group from the New Jersey delegation urging the President to allocate emergency funds to the state to assist with storm cleanup.

Please call Congressman MacArthur’s Ocean County office at 732-569-6495, or the Burlington County Office at 856-267-5182 for more information.