Obama Approves Disaster Declarations For New Jersey And New York

As Sandy continues to track westward, federal response teams are already providing assistance for those affected by the storm. While the worst of the weather is beyond some areas on the East Coast, Sandy remains a very large storm system that continues to pose life-threatening hazards for coastal and inland areas including high winds, heavy rains, dangerous storm surge and flash flooding, and snow and cold weather hazards in some areas, FEMA noted.

The AP is reporting that there are now 39 U.S. deaths related to the storm. Hurricane Sandy lived up to concerns, making landfall just a few miles to the south of Atlantic City, New Jersey Monday evening around 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with storm surges in New York City reported to have reached three meters in some areas of lower Manhattan.

Earlier Tuesday, President Obama convened a video-teleconference in the White House Situation Room with his team to receive the latest update on Sandy’s impact and the work being done to help communities begin the recovery process.

Overnight, at the requests of the governors, the President approved major disaster declarations for New Jersey and New York, making additional federal support for state and local efforts available, as well as direct federal assistance to affected individuals in declared counties.