Chris Christie Wants Federal Aid For Blizzard Recovery

Newsworks is reporting that Governor Christie is asking President Obama for $82 million in federal disaster assistance to help New Jersey pay for last month's winter storm that dumped nearly 30 inches of snow in some areas, leaving over 200,000 without power, and flooding several shore towns.

Christie released a statement saying

Based on the information presented to me, 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 county and local governments, and that federal assistance is necessary to supplement the efforts and available resources of State, county, and local governments and disaster relief organizations.

Christie is requesting public assistance for Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties.

The request also includes costs for snow removal, snow dumping, de-icing, and salting, and sanding roads. The governor is also seeking hazard mitigation assistance state-wide.

The coast is vulnerable to future flooding due to beach erosion and severely damaged or destroyed dunes and bulkheads, Christie said.

"The erosion and damages to these protective coastal barrier systems are to the point where a future five-year storm will cause damage to improved property," he said. "Should additional winter or tropical storms impact the area, the state will also be at risk of additional flooding because of damage to the dune systems from this storm."

This is a reversal from the stance Christie took immediately following the storm, where he implied there was little to no flooding, no long term damage, and no need to "mop up" while he was out on the campaign trail.