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Obama declares disaster areas in New York, New Jersey - PHOTOSESSION

Obama declares disaster areas in New York, New Jersey - <font color=red>PHOTOSESSION</font>

30 October 2012 18:01 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. President Obama has already declared New York and New Jersey major disaster areas, an unusually early action reflecting the massive damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy, APA reports.

Disaster declarations are normally made after post-storm assessments, but officials said the obvious problems justified extraordinary action.

"This was so evident how bad it was that the president said, â€™letâ€™s just get this done,â€™ " said Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on The Weather Channel.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie requested the speeded-up disaster declarations, officials said.

The announcement said that, In New York, "the presidentâ€™s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk and Queens."

The New Jersey action affects the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," say both declarations.

Up and down the east coast, Hurricane Sandy has left at least 16 people dead and millions without power.

More disaster declarations are expected in the hours and days ahead.

The White House said of Obamaâ€™s reactions: "Throughout the night, the President was updated on the impacts of Sandy as it came ashore and moved inland. Overnight the President also spoke with New York Governor Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Christie, New York City Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg, Jersey City Mayor (Jerramiah) Healy and Newark Mayor (Cory) Booker.
"The President will also receive another briefing this a.m.

"Overnight the President also provided major disaster declarations for the states of New Jersey and New York â€” building on resources already available â€” and providing additional federal support for state and local efforts, as well as direct federal assistance to affected individuals in declared counties."

The New York and New Jersey declarations said that "federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures."

Money "is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide," said the announcements.

In his Weather Channel interview, Fugate said people caught in the storm can call 1-800-621-FEMA to get aid

"We are very much in a response mode," Fugate said. "We are not talking about recovery."