The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $2.3 million for the Borough of Avon-by-the- Sea to help 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.

    “Avon is depending on FEMA assistance to stay financially sound and get back on its feet,” said Smith, who repeatedly went 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. “The boardwalk is opening this weekend for visitors. The borough, like many of our shore towns, have spent unprecedented amounts of money to clean up after Sandy and restore normalcy. A boardwalk is the lifeblood of a beach town, and we can’t move toward recovery until they are fully rebuilt and open. I visited Avon immediately after Sandy hit and witnessed wrecked homes, ruined businesses and a battered community. I will continue to work to help Avon and other towns recover and rebuild.” 

    The FEMA award provides $2,301,358.77 in federal funding to Avon toward the $3 million-plus cost to replace the destroyed boardwalk. The new three-quarter-mile boardwalk includes 58,230 square feet of decking, 5,100 feet of aluminum railing, the reinstallation of 40 light poles and 133 benches. The borough reports the boardwalk is rebuilt and its beaches are open for visitors.

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

 Smith said FEMA aid is needed to help the communities along the Jersey Shore come back from the worst natural disaster in the state’s history. Earlier this year, Smith repeatedly went 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.