Trump approves federal funding to help with March 6 snowstorm

Kaitlyn Kanzler | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Scenes from Butler, where 25 inches of snow fell Scenes from around Butler a day after more than 25 inches of snow fell in the nor'easter that hit the region on March 7, 2018.

President Donald Trump approved disaster relief for Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Morris and Somerset counties in the wake of the severe snowstorm that pounded the area March 6 and 7.

Trump declared that a "major disaster" exists in the five counties in a press release on Saturday, ordering federal assistance to help supplement state and local recovery efforts. In May, Gov. Phil Murphy requested disaster assistance from the federal government to help with storm cleanup.

The storm brought 27 inches of snow to some parts of New Jersey and caused $20 million in damage, according to state officials. The March 6 storm left thousands of people without power, and the five counties covered by the "major disaster" designation were the hardest hit.

With Trump's declaration, federal funding will be available to the state and eligible local governments and private nonprofits. It will be on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities that were damaged in the snowstorm.

Funding is also available at the state and local levels on the same cost-sharing basis for Morris and Bergen counties for a continuous 48-hour snow removal period that happened while the snow was falling or immediately after it fell.

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An additional set of funding on a cost-sharing basis is available for hazard mitigation measures across the state.

The release says additional designations could be made in the future if requested by Murphy and if it is "warranted by the results of further damage assessment."