Excerpt:
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a Republican representing South Jersey, continues his push for Gov. Phil Murphy and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill to declare a state of emergency….
Van Drew is seeking a disaster declaration from New Jersey government officials and steps to secure funding for “severe coastal erosion and storm damages” impacting the Jersey Shore.
On Dec. 11, Van Drew penned a letter to Murphy and Sherrill making the request. He said that some funding through the federal Disaster Supplemental of 2025 Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account could be used to support erosion and coastal damages, but only if the state “advances disaster measures.”
“Since July, the Jersey Shore has suffered intense wind, wave, and water impacts from storm events including Hurricane Erin, Hurricane Imelda, offshore Hurricane Humberto and a succession of destructive nor’easters,” Van Drew said in the letter, adding that the storms created erosion problems, dune loss and negative impacts on public infrastructure.
Per Public Law 84-99, federal emergency assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can’t be used without state action to declare an emergency, disaster or request federal support, Van Drew’s letter stated.
In October, beaches in South Jersey saw substantial erosion from a mid-month nor’easter…
