Community Corner

FEMA OKs 90 Percent Reimbursements for Towns Hit By Hurricane Sandy

New Jersey's Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts could receive a boost with the announcement that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse communities at a rate of 90 percent for certain storm-related expenses, according to federal officials.

President Obama made additional disaster assistance available to New Jersey by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for public assistance projects, according to a White House press release.

Under Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for New Jersey on Oct. 30, 2012, assistance was made available at 75 percent federal funding.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said he met with FEMA's  highest official, Administrator Craig Fugate, earlier this month to press for the increase and discuss FEMA’s ongoing New Jersey flood recovery efforts during a meeting in Smith’s Washington office. 

At the meeting, Fugate let it be known that he expected and would recommend moving to a 90-10 federal share for FEMA funding, Smith said.  

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This decision will greatly help New Jersey communities still dealing with significant damage issues as a result of tropical storm Sandy, while trying to figure out potential ratable losses," Smith said. "The move from a 75-25 percent federal-local cost share to a 90-10 split, which will be retroactive, will make the path forward a little more clear and help with municipal budget planning.”

This approval will provide an immediate and additional $262 million for already obligated funding, and will cover all additional local government approved funding, Smith said. 

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

These categories cover: Public Assistance Grant emergency work and permanent work including debris removal; emergency protective measures; road systems and bridges; water control facilities; buildings; contents and equipment; utilities, and; parks.


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