New Jersey Officials Request Federal Help

State officials have asked President Barack Obama to quickly declare New Jersey to be a major disaster area after Hurricane Irene ravaged the state with dangerous winds and torrents of rain this weekend.

This would enable for the federal government via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state and local administrations and affected residents.

Governor Chris Christie, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), as well as Rep. William Pascrell Jr. led the effort, according to press releases from their offices.

"Hurricane Irene was a catastrophe of enormous severity and magnitude and the storm conditions required emergency shelters to be established in 16 counties to house nearly16,000 evacuees, while over 700,000 residences suffered power outages. Torrential rains have caused significant flooding in areas across the state, impacting residences, major and local roads, and necessitating highway closures and a suspension of rail services. Recovery efforts are still ongoing in the aftermath of the disaster," according to Christie's office.

“Given the severe nature of the hurricane and the extent of the damage, we ask that you immediately grant a Major Disaster Declaration for New Jersey and expedite federal recovery and rebuilding aid," according to a press release from both senators.

"The entire State of New Jersey has been devastated by this great storm. Reports tell us that seven residents have been killed statewide.  Specifically in the Eighth Congressional District, we have faced hundreds of thousands of homes without power and terrible flooding.  In fact, the damage evident in many New Jersey communities has now been officially verified as some of the worst flooding Northern New Jersey regions have seen in almost one hundred years.  The National Weather Service suggests that the Passaic River Basin is reaching a historic high crests that will not recede for days.  The flooding has caused severe property damage in municipalities throughout the State and thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes," Pascrell said in a letter to Obama release Tuesday.