Following powerful thunderstorms that left hundreds of thousands of people in South Jersey without power back on June 23rd, Gov. Christie is now trying to get a major disaster declaration for four counties.

Monday afternoon, Gov. Christie announced that the State is seeking a Major Disaster Declaration under the federal Stafford Act for four South Jersey counties that sustained over $15 million in damages as the result of severe thunderstorms on June 23rd. A letter outlining the State’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties, was sent to President Obama through FEMA.

Power thunderstorms last month caused over 330,000 power outages and damaged countless buildings, businesses, homes, roads, and utility poles.

Through a press release, Gov. Christie said,  “Based on the information that has been collected and provided through extensive reviews of the damage, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected county and local governments, and that federal assistance is necessary to supplement the efforts and available resources of the State, county and local governments, and disaster relief organizations. I am specifically requesting Public Assistance for the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester. I am also requesting Hazard Mitigation assistance.”

The request follows joint preliminary damage assessments in those four counties that were conducted by state and local emergency management officials along with FEMA. In order to be eligible for federal assistance, damage thresholds must be met at both the state and county level, which those four counties did.

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