The federal funds will help offset the extra costs incurred in 14 counties. Watch video
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency will send $8.3 million to the New Jersey Transportation Department to help cover the cost of snow removal stemming from last January's winter storm.
U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) made the announcement on Friday. They and the state's 12 House members joined Gov. Chris Christie in seeking a federal disaster designation to make New Jersey eligible for the aid. The funds will go to reimburse the municipalities for their snow-removal costs.
President Barack Obama approved the designation in March.
Obama issues N.J. disaster declaration
"This disaster funding will go a long way to help recover some of the costs accrued by local authorities as they promptly serviced roads in hard-hit communities," Menendez said.
The Jan. 22-24 storm brought as much as 30 inches of snow, plus high winds and flooding, and left around 270,000 homes without power. High tides caused coastal flooding in the southern part of the state, contributing to beach erosion and damaging dunes.
The state said the total damage cost was around $82.6 million.
"As communities across New Jersey continue to face tightening budgets and growing snow removal costs, this federal funding couldn't come at a better time," Booker said.
The White House agreed to help cover the costs of snow removal in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook