Pallone Announces New Jersey Municipalities Reimbursed for Sandy Damage to Receive Additional FEMA Funding

Storm Damage Deemed Severe Enough for Additional Cost Sharing by FEMA

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that President Barack Obama has determined that the damage in certain areas of New Jersey resulting from Hurricane Sandy is of sufficient severity and magnitude that special cost sharing arrangements are warranted regarding Federal funds. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will now cover reimbursements for 90% of the cost for municipalities receiving these FEMA disaster grants. Previously FEMA reimbursed only 75% of costs municipalities were incurring to rebuild and repair.

“FEMA’s announcement confirms what we knew all along – Sandy was a storm of epic proportions that caused widespread and severe damage. With the additional reimbursements from FEMA, our communities will be able to rebuild stronger than they otherwise might be able to and will take smaller financial hits during that process. It has always been a tradition in our country for the federal government to step in and provide appropriate assistance when disaster strikes, and in this case, I’m pleased that the Administration recognized further assistance was needed for our communities,” said Congressman Pallone, who in conversation with FEMA Administrator Fugate previously called for an increase in cost share for these grants.