WASHINGTON, November 2 (RIA Novosti) - More than 36,000 people affected by Hurricane Sandy will receive over $3.4 million in immediate assistance, White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
“More than 36,000 disaster survivors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have applied for federal disaster assistance, and more than $3.4 million in direct assistance to these individuals has already been approved. These are resources, as I said, like housing assistance and to support immediate needs,” he said.
U.S. President Barack Obama provided major disaster declarations for the states of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut on Tuesday, making additional federal support available to states.
“These declarations also make federal assistance available directly to affected individuals, including temporary housing assistance, low-cost loans, and other resources to help cover uninsured losses,” Carney said.
Hurricane Sandy slammed into the New Jersey coast Monday night with sustained winds of 80 mph (129 kph) and heavy, relentless rains. According to most recent figures, the death toll stood at 96 as of Friday morning.
