Menendez, Booker Applaud Major Disaster Declaration for Five Counties after Winter Nor’easter Slammed the State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded President Biden for issuing a Major Disaster Declaration for the damage inflicted on New Jersey by the winter Nor’easter that slammed the state earlier this year. The senators led the state’s entire Congressional delegation in urging President Biden to grant Governor Phil Murphy’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

The Nor’easter, which spanned from January 31 to February 2, caused record snowfall, high winds, flooding and widespread power outages. The declaration makes the state eligible for more federal resources as families and communities across the area recover from damage caused by the storm. The declaration covers Cape May, Morris, Ocean, Sussex and Warren counties.

“This is much needed federal relief for New Jersey and the communities that were hit hard by the winter Nor’easter. From the blizzard-like conditions to the high winds and flooding, communities, already strapped for resources because of the pandemic, were burdened with the high cost of cleanup and widespread power outages,” said Sen. Menendez. “This will reimburse the communities that faced storm damage and allow them to prepare for future storms.”

“The powerful Nor’easter last winter caused significant damage across South Jersey, and thousands of families were left without power or forced to leave their homes,” said Sen. Booker. “With communities across our state continuing to feel the impact of the economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this federal relief couldn’t come at a better time. I applaud President Biden for issuing this disaster declaration and providing the state with essential federal resources and support so we can rebuild stronger and prepare for future storms.”

In the letter, the lawmakers noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had already caused a financial strain on state and local governments and that federal assistance to help repair damages caused by the storm is more critical than ever.