President Biden Approves NJ Winter Storm Disaster Declaration

NEW JERSEY - President Joe Biden granted a disaster declaration in New Jersey on Wednesday and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm.

The timeframe for the declaration is from Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. Then, a nor'easter dumped at least 35 inches of snow fell in many areas of New Jersey. Many residents were digging out for weeks and waiting days for snowplows to come down their streets.

The "major" nor'easter hit New Jersey shut down trains and buses and caused crashes and other problems. Read more: Gov. Murphy Urges NJ To Stay Home, Lifts Nor'easter Restrictions

Patch provided town-by-town snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in the counties of Cape May, Morris, Ocean, Sussex, and Warren.

In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow removal for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in the counties of Morris, Sussex, and Warren.

Lastly, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

State officials said they're very pleased with the declaration. Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, said damage from the storm totaled at least $22.7 milion.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, officials said.

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