WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of a combined $49,547,564.37 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse for costs incurred by the City of Deal, Jersey City Medical Center, and Bergen County Utilities Authority to repair damage and improve resiliency and mitigation efforts following Superstorm Sandy. FEMA also awarded New Jersey Transit (NJT) over $1.1 million to cover costs for its response to the record January 2016 blizzard that dumped nearly three feet of snow and crippled much of the state.

“New Jersey has been battered by multiple severe storms over the years, including Superstorm Sandy, which continues to bear a heavy financial burden on cities and institutions trying to rebuild and recover,” said Sen. Menendez. “This federal funding will help our state fully recover and make necessary improvements to withstand the next storm. It’s not enough to just repair the damage, we need to ensure our core infrastructure and hospitals are fortified and prepared for any future natural disasters by rebuilding better, stronger, and more resilient.”

"Our families deserve the peace of mind knowing they are out of harm’s way when disaster strikes, and federal resources like this take an important step in that direction,” said Sen. Booker. “Superstorm Sandy reminded us of the urgent need to invest in the strength and resiliency of New Jersey communities in order to mitigate against future disasters and save lives.”

The following specific grants were awarded:

  • $1,619,466.55 – To fund 90% of cost to the replace the Conover Pavilion and repair the parking lot damaged in Deal as a result of Superstorm Sandy

  • $24,974,687.70 – To fund 90% of the cost to construct mitigation measures to prevent or reduce the threat of future damages to Jersey City Medical Center facilities as a result of Superstorm Sandy
  • $22,953,410.10– To fund 90% of the cost to construct mitigation measures to prevent or reduce the threat of future damages to Bergen County Utilities Authority facilities as a result of Superstorm Sandy
  • $1,169,605.83– To fund 75% of the cost for snow removal by NJT in 14 of NJ’s counties as a result of January 2016 blizzard

Through these grants, FEMA is restoring funding to cities and other entities throughout the state whose infrastructure were greatly impacted by Superstorm Sandy and last year’s severe winter storm.

In 2013, President Obama signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.

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