The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $2.6 million for the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach to help the town recover from the destruction of Superstorm Sandy, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), whose district includes hard-hit areas of Ocean and Monmouth counties.

    “This FEMA assistance is sorely needed to help the borough stay fiscally sound after the greatest Jersey Shore disaster in our lifetime,” said Smith, who earlier this year repeatedly took to the House floor to push for a total of $60.4 billion in emergency disaster aid to fund the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA response to Sandy. “This funding will help pay for massive debris removal and disposal that was necessary for Point Pleasant Beach to start down the long road to recovery. When I went to Point Pleasant Beach after Sandy hit, I saw the damage first hand—destroyed homes, businesses, cars, public property—everywhere I looked. I will continue to work to help the borough and other shore towns recover and rebuild.” 

    The FEMA award provides $2,669,857.20 in federal funding to the borough toward the $3.56 million cost to replace remove and dispose of over 100,000 cubic yards of trees, sand and debris material.  The boardwalk is rebuilt and its beaches are open for visitors and special events.

    This funding is being provided by FEMA under authority of Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

     FEMA aid is essential to help the communities along the Jersey Shore come back from the worst natural disaster in the state’s history, Smith said.