Trump answers Murphy’s request for help with major disaster declaration for New Jersey

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President Donald Trump (R) has answered Gov. Phil Murphy’s (R) request for robust federal support during the coronavirus crisis, announcing a major disaster declaration this morning.

Photo via whitehouse.gov.

By John Heinis/Hudson County

“The President’s action makes federal funding available for Crisis Counseling for affected individuals in all areas of the state of New Jersey,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency explained in a statement this morning.

“Federal funding is also available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under Public Assistance, for all areas affected by COVID-19 at a federal cost share of 75 percent.”

Robert Little III, the federal coordinating officer of FEMA Region II, will oversee the recovery operations throughout the state.

Murphy of course had an enthusiastic reaction to the news, stating that this declaration will “lift remaining bureaucratic barriers to assistance” during this crucial time.

“This declaration will allow us to lift remaining bureaucratic barriers to assistance and enhance our statewide response to COVID-19. I am grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their collaboration and coordination in supporting our response and recovery efforts to COVID-19 in New Jersey.”

On Twitter, the governor also specifically thanked Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their efforts.

Yesterday, Murphy revealed that three pop-up hospital locations would be set up in New Jersey thanks to Trump, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the facility at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus being the state’s first priority.

As of yesterday afternoon, there are 4,402 COVID-19 cases across the state, along with 62 recorded deaths, the second most in the country behind New York.

In Hudson County, there are 319 disclosed cases of the coronavirus as of this morning, according to municipal officials, with the virus also causing at least seven deaths locally.


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