New Jersey has asked the federal government for $53 million to help cover cleanup costs from the post-Christmas blizzard that brought record snowfall to parts of the state.
In a letter to President Barack Obama, Gov. Chris Christie said 15 counties were severely impacted by the December storm _ two more than originally thought.
The affected counties were Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union.
The state already has used the $20 million budgeted for the 2010-2011 year, which runs through July.
Administration officials expect to seek an additional appropriation from the Legislature.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
