Trenton, NJ - Governor Chris Christie today announced that President Obama has made a federal disaster declaration for Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem counties following the impact of severe storms on June 30, 2012. The storms contained high winds and high rain volume and was characterized by the National Weather Service as “Super Derecho,” a wide-spread, long-lived wind storm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. The initial declaration provides Public Assistance in each of the three counties. Federal approval of individual assistance remains under review.

Public Assistance provides for federal assistance to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

On July 11, 2012, Acting Governor Kim Guadagno formally requested that President Obama declare a federal disaster for all three counties in the aftermath of the severe June 30 thunderstorms. The storm and high winds caused three confirmed fatalities, extensive property damage and downed trees in the impacted area, resulting in widespread power outages, road closures and displacement of families from their homes.