Editor's Note: The following is a press release from FEMA While New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy have until March 1 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance, more than $780 million in disaster assistance has been approved to speed recovery. FEMA has approved more than $300 million in housing assistance for more than 52,000 people. Housing assistance includes temporary rental assistance and grants to repair and replace storm-damaged primary residences. More than $42 million has been approved to help survivors replace hurricane-damaged personal …

There may not be many out-of-state utility crews on local roads these days but support for those still suffering in the wake of Super Storm Sandy continues to arrive from other parts of the country. Recently, a Wisconsin law enforcement organization sent a sizable donation to help four Union County Sheriff’s Officers whose homes were severely damaged by the devastating storm. Through the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association’s “Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs” program, each officer received a check for more than $9,000 for home repairs and other needs related to Sandy. “Rarely have I seen such a …

Gov. Chris Christie, in a joint statment with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, applauded the "critical" Sandy aid approval by the House of Representatives Friday, but said the $9.7 billion outlay is merely a "down payment." "While we are pleased with this progress, today was just a down payment and it is now time to go even further and pass the final and more complete, clean disaster aid bill," they said. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure Friday afternoon allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to borrow $9.7 billion to pay insurance claims made by victims of …

After the U.S. House of Representatives did not take action on appropriating aid to states impacted by Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday night, including New Jersey, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, Conference Leader Dave Rible and Republican Whip Scott Rumana sent a letter to congressional leaders in Washington D.C. today inviting them to visit New Jersey and the communities that were impacted by the storm. In their letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Bramnick, Rible and Rumana wrote:  “We are disappointed that the House of Representatives failed to take …

Officials from states hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy blasted Congressional Republicans on Wednesday for not passing a bill that would fund $60 billion toward recovery efforts. In a release, Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg said the move denies aid to "families, communities and businesses that were devastated by one of the worst storms to ever hit the United States. “Denying emergency aid to Superstorm Sandy victims is a new low for House Republicans,” Lautenberg said. Lautenberg said Congress should put partisan politics aside, as it does for other disaster recovery efforts, and "extend a …

As The Salvation Army continues to provide long term recovery forHurricane Sandy survivors, volunteers are needed to assist with relief efforts.The newest Salvation Army volunteer opportunities include receiving intake anddistribution of goods to clients at its emergency assistance center in Hazlet, supporting its call center in Union and sorting at its Hillside and Trenton warehouses.“People out there still need assistance, and The Salvation Army is doing all it can to reach those in need, but we still need the help of the army behind the Army, our fantastic volunteers,” said a member of The…

It's been one month since "the perfect storm" tore through new Jersey, toppling trees, pulling down power lines, damaging homes and causing widespread power outages that lasted for days, and in some cases, weeks. Over the course of the last 30 days since Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore and many areas inland, New Jerseyans have showed their strength and unity, vowing to rebuild and joining together to help each other through local and statewide initiatives. The following is a compilation of images and videos from Union County and the Jersey Shore, depicting the aftermath, the …

Supermodel Heidi Klum is lending her efforts to affected victims and families of Superstorm Sandy by distributing supplies, food, and water in the afternoon on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the American Red Cross Nassau Chapter in Mineola, NY, in partnership with the American Red Cross, AOL, and Patch. After, Klum will go to Lindenhurst, NY, for the tree lighting with Mayor Thomas Brennan. Klum's efforts are a reminder that these communities still need help rebuilding. Here's how you can help: Donate to the American Red Cross, Long Island Cares, or Island Harvest. And, you can help rebuild communities …

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming …

Jersey threw a rocking party and everyone was invited—except Sandy. On Sunday, a crowd of over 400 turned up for Unite 2 Revive, a benefit concert held at Jersey’s Sports bar & Grill in Neptune. The event raised $5,800 for the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to help with their Sandy disaster relief efforts, according to Unite 2 Revive publicist Deirdre Anne Lopian. “It has been an extremely stressful two weeks. Everybody is affected by the storm in one way shape or form. Why not come out, have a good time, listen to the music, dance to the bands. And at the same time, you’re …

At the concrete barricades that seal off Ortley Beach, Bay Head and Seaside Heights from everything else, fully-armed police officers peek through dimly lit cars, looking for any trouble they can find.The clouds that hover over them never seem to leave, covering what's left of the shining sun, long before it's ever supposed to set. Each officer is bundled in burly black jackets, pointing flashlights in each passing car before turning them away. Wearing knitted hats that nearly wrap around their eyes and ears, these officers are mere shadows with badges, figurines with no faces that stop …

New Jersey has entered a new normal, Gov. Chris Christie said Monday. With the recovery effort largely concluded, the focus of state and federal agencies will turn toward rebuilding the parts of New Jersey devastated by Hurricane Sandy, he noted during an appearance at the newly established Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Joint Field Office at the former Avaya building in Lincroft. “We’ve returned to a sense of normalcy, that’s why I have the fleece off,” Christie said, joking about his signature accessory at a series of press conferences and appearances across the state. “It’s …

The following appears on Assemblywoman Nancy F. Muñoz's website: Due to the major property damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, many property taxpayers are faced with value assessments that are no longer accurate.  There is a provision of law that could lead to corrected, lower assessments, but it must be invoked by a certain deadline as noted below.  Under current State law, property value is assessed based on the condition of the lot and the buildings as of October 1st for the following tax year.   In other words, the 2013 property tax bills are based on the value of the property as of October…

Governor Christie said he may lift gas rationing on Monday. The governor, speaking at a press conference in Seaside Park on Friday, said the rationing has worked well and eased congestion at gas stations. But he expects all power to be restored by Sunday, so rationing should therefore end. The following counties are now limited on the days in which they can fill up their gas tanks: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. According to the state, plates ending in an even number can fill up on even-numbered days of the month, …

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has opened its first Disaster Recovery Center in Union County, to enable residents to apply for disaster assistance in person. The Center is located at the Chisholm Community Center at 100 South Springfield Ave. in Springfield. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week including Saturday and Sunday. “Many residents have used FEMA’s website and toll-free number, but for those of you who need an extra hand, the Disaster Recovery Center enables you to talk to a …

As the full extent of Hurricane Sandy's impact is still being uncovered, residents who lost homes or have suffered damage to them can apply to FEMA for help right now. Registering your claim can be done online or by phone, and the process takes about 25-30 minutes, officials say. The website is www.disasterassistance.gov. You can apply via your smartphone as well at m.fema.gov. To apply by phone, call 1-800-621-3362. People with speech or hearing disabilities should call 1-800-462-7585. According to Scott Sanders, a FEMA spokesman, you have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration to…

Power appears to be returning to residents, slowly. JCP&L said in a release that it has restored power to nearly 160,000, or about 20 percent, of its customers and expects to have the majority of customers restored within the next seven days. Atlantic Electric reported similar results. (TELL US in the comments section below: where do you live and is your power back on?) It could take up to two weeks for customers in the hardest-hit areas to regain power, the company said. JCP&L reported 940,999 of its nearly 1.1 million customers remained in the dark as of Wednesday night, according to its …

The state should be as good as back to normal by the end of next week, Gov. Chris Christie said during a press conference in Hoboken Sunday afternoon. "A week ago today we were prepping for the storm to come tomorrow," Christie said. "It's going to be a long and difficult process to get us back to normal."   Christie urged school districts to open on Monday if possible and people to go to work. New Jersey Transit has increased buses — about 200 more between New York and New Jersey — for the Monday morning commute. New Jersey Transit restored 90 percent of its bus service as of Sunday …