TRENTON N.J. – The Christie Administration announced today that Cranford Township has been approved for nearly $4.1 million in FEMA Public Assistance Program funding, as a result of infrastructure and public property damage incurred from Hurricane Irene.

"We continue to work with our federal partners to insure full recovery in New Jersey communities impacted by Hurricane Irene," said Governor Christie. "Having the appropriate mechanisms in place to successfully secure these disaster grants allows us to more efficiently assist municipalities and ease the burden of recovery costs on local taxpayers."

Cranford Township is set to receive over $1.5 million for nearly 30 projects. The township is being reimbursed for the costs of debris clearance, emergency protective measures, road and public building repair.

The Cranford Public Schools District has been approved for over $2.6 million to offset costs related to 13 projects, mostly repairs from flood damage to school buildings.

Hurricane Irene struck New Jersey on August 27, resulting in a Presidential Disaster Declaration on August 31. More than 4,500 local government expense project reimbursements were submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the NJ Office of Emergency Management. To date, the two areas of expenses designated to receive the most funding from Irene are emergency protective measures and debris removal.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management works with FEMA, providing technical assistance to applicants. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approves the reimbursement of local government expenses, which provide at least 75 percent of the eligible costs of repair and replacement to those who qualify. The State of New Jersey is accountable for use of the funds and is responsible for disbursing the funds.

For detailed information regarding FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm

NJ Hurricane Irene Page: http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=15536

For information concerning Irene Public Assistance Applicants, and funds disbursed, visit the NJOEM website: www.ready.nj.gov and click on "Disaster Public Assistance".

Note: Hurricane Irene was characterized as a tropical storm by the National Weather Service in an after-action review several months after the event. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Presidential Disaster Declaration referred to in this media release is for “Hurricane Irene.”

To stay informed about disasters and emergencies in New Jersey via social media, follow the NJOEM on Twitter @ReadyNJ, "like" us on www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY, or get email and text message alerts via www.Nixle.com or www.njalert.gov.