NJ seeks FEMA blizzard aidShelters were opened for 352 people and there were four storm-related deaths
By Justo Bautista
The Record
PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — Governor Christie sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday requesting $53 million in "snow assistance" money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 15 counties — including Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris — that bore the brunt of the Dec. 26 blizzard.
"I have determined that this incident is of such severity of magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the local affected governments, and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary," the governor wrote.
Christie declared a statewide emergency on Dec. 27 after the two-day storm brought high winds and record snowfall to New Jersey, taxing state and local snowplow crews who tried to keep highways and streets passable.
Some stranded motorists were trapped in their cars for hours, prompting rescue teams, including the National Guard and State Police helicopters with heat-sensing equipment, to be dispatched to find abandoned vehicles and search for occupants, the governor said. The State Police 911 call center recorded 4,104 calls for assistance during the storm.
Shelters were opened for 352 people and there were four storm-related deaths.
Christie is requesting $4.8 million for Bergen County, $1.8 million for Passaic County, $3.4 million for Hudson County, and nearly $2 million for Morris County.
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