Christie Requesting Federal Relief For January Snowstorm
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- Gov. Chris Christie is asking the federal government for disaster assistance to help New Jersey pay for last month's winter storm.
The governor, one day removed from officially ending his presidential bid, sent a letter to President Barack Obama that detailed $82 million in costs the state incurred between Jan. 22 and Jan. 29.
The storm dropped up to 30 inches of snow, cut power to 270,000 customers and flooded several coastal towns.
Christie is asking Obama for disaster declarations for 17 or the state's 21 counties. The storm broke snow records in six of those counties, stretching local budgets.
Christie said some of New Jersey's coastal areas are at risk of further flooding if another storm blows through because of beach erosion, destroyed dunes and other barriers.
He declared a state of emergency during the storm.
Christie was later criticized for comments he made following the blizzard while responding to critics over the way he handled the winter storm.
At a Town Hall event, the Republican governor was asked why he was campaigning in New Hampshire instead of staying in New Jersey.
"Because it's already done," he responded.
When the questioner said she had friends and family all over the state complaining about flooding, Christie said the flooding was not as bad as it could have been and that Cape May was the only county where flooding happened.
"I don't know exactly what you expect me to do," Christie said. "You want me to go down there with a mop?"
Christie didn't back down from the comment.
"I was here. You can't be AWOL when you're here. Yeah, I've been here plenty. It's a joke– if you don't like the joke you don't like it, that's all."
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