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Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced late this afternoon that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared Middlesex County a federal disaster area. The New Jersey congressman was notified of the decision this afternoon in a phone conversation with FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. Pallone's office had been in constant contact with FEMA urging federal assistance for Middlesex County.
Middlesex County was declared eligible for both individual and public assistance. Individual assistance will help homeowners and businesses, while public assistance will help local jurisdictions pay for damage done to public buildings and infrastructure.
Yesterday, FEMA issued a declaration for six New Jersey counties to help individuals recover from rampant flooding and other damage caused by the storm that dropped more rain than any storm since 1882. Even though Middlesex County suffered significant damage, it was not included in that first declaration announcement. However, once the president has declared a federal disaster, the FEMA Administrator can expand that declaration to other counties within the state.
In their phone conversation, Paulison told Pallone that 129 homes in Middlesex County were severely damaged by last week's storm. By expanding the federal disaster declaration to Middlesex County, these homeowners, as well as business owners in the affected area will be eligible for federal grants and loan-interest loans to help rebuild.
"I commend Administrator Paulison for recognizing the devastation left behind by last week's flooding in Middlesex County," Pallone said. "Homeowners and business owners were hit hard by the floodwaters, and they can now be assured that they will receive much-needed assistance from the federal government to help rebuild." |
