Gov. Jon Corzine declared states of emergency Sunday in six New Jersey counties battered by the recent nor'easter, one of the most damaging coastal storms in state history.
The six -- Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean -- were among those areas where beaches and dunes were heavily damaged by the storm system born from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.
The declaration will likely allow New Jersey to receive federal money to help towns, residents and businesses pay for repairs, which could cost several million dollars. Work to develop preliminary damage assessments began Sunday morning, and officials hoped to conclude that effort by noon Monday.
“That will set the stage for us to move forward” with efforts to eventually have President Barack Obama issue an emergency declaration for the region, state police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said during a conference call with reporters. That would make it easier for the state and residents to receive federal aid to rebuild.
Fuentes said several hundred homes and about 50 to 100 businesses were affected by the storm, which also caused significant beach erosion and flooding along the Jersey Shore.
The storm -- which contained heavy rains and strong, gusty winds pounded the state for more than three days. It also was blamed for the apparent deaths of three fishermen who vanished when their boat sank in rough seas Wednesday night.
The storm also spurred moderate to major flooding in other areas and caused scattered power outages throughout the state. It also wrecked dunes in several coastal communities including Ocean City, Atlantic City, and on Long Beach Island, where a beach replenishment project is partially finished.
Emergency Declared for N.J. Counties Hit by Storm
Copyright The Associated Press