TRENTON – Acting Gov. Kim Guadagno said on Thursday that New Jersey is seeking a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government, including a request for public assistance, for five New Jersey counties affected by recent storms and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Lee.
She said the state is seeking a declaration for the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Passaic, Sussex and Warren.
“I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary,” Guadagno wrote in a letter to President Obama that was sent through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This series of rain related events commencing on August 14, 2011 followed by Hurricane Irene and culminating in Tropical Storm Lee have put a severe strain on state, county and local budgets,” the letter states.
In response to the situation, a statewide emergency declaration was issued on Aug. 25 for Hurricane Irene that remained in effect through Tropical Storm Lee.
