Statement by the Press Secretary

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by the record/near record snow on February 16-17, 2003.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to the State and eligible local governments in the counties of Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

Assistance is available to State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures that were undertaken to save lives to protect public health, safety and property over a 48-hour period.

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Acting Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Peter Martinasco as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.