From: Press staff reports | Posted: Friday, February 5, 2010
Press of Atlantic City

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties Friday in response to the snowstorm that blanketed the area Dec. 19 and 20, while legislators are already calling for disaster aid to deal with this weekend's weather.

The declaration adds federal aid to state and local recovery efforts in those counties, paying for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm.

Twelve to 25.7 inches of snow covered the region the weekend before Christmas, costing tens of thousands of dollars for snow removal.

The agency named Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. as the coordinating federal officer.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. John Adler, D-3rd, on Friday urged Gov. Chris Christie to declare a state of emergency for Burlington, Ocean and Camden counties if this weekend's storm is as bad as advertised.

"Our local communities may need emergency assistance to help families and small businesses safely handle the dangerous winter conditions," Adler wrote. "If a disaster is not declared, the taxpayers and local municipalities will have to bear the brunt of the financial burden of this storm."

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak declined to say how likely a disaster declaration would be. He said the decision would be made after the storm begins and it becomes clearer that the weather warrants it.