New Jersey Senators Secure Federal Disaster Relief for Post-Storm Cleanup

Essex County is getting some money to help with snow clean-up costs, thanks to U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez.

Essex was among 13 New Jersey counties, some that received more than 2 ½ feet of snow, from a massive snowstorm that blanketed the state on Dec. 26 of last year.

The two senators applauded President Barack Obama on Friday for approving a federal disaster designation that will free up federal dollars to help New Jersey The money will help with clean-up costs by reimbursing state and local emergency management agencies that worked on the storm.

“I work hard in Washington to make sure emergency funding is available to our communities when disaster strikes and I am pleased that this funding will help Essex County recover from this year’s storms,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg. 

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said the county has already spent $2.8 million of the $3.6 budgeted for snow clean up this winter.

“Our federal delegation represents Essex well. We have had a terrible winter and this reimbursement will be helpful,” he said.

The declaration covers 13 counties: Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union.  Additional designations may be made at a later date. 

The exact amount of the federal funds that will be made available to Essex County is not yet known.

“We applaud President Obama for recognizing the extent of this devastating storm, the damage it left in New Jersey communities and the need to make these emergency resources available,” Senators Lautenberg and Menendez said in a joint statement.  

“The federal support granted by this declaration will provide New Jerseyans with the tools they need to rebuild and mitigate against future disasters. With residents continuing to be affected by this crippling winter season, we remain committed to securing these critical federal resources for our state.”

The Senators had urged the president to approve the declaration request in a Dec. 31 letter.