Water rushes into the Carey Tunnel (previously the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel), caused by Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK -- President Obama has declared New York and New Jersey as major disaster areas in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
In New York, "the President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk, and Queens," said the announcement.
The New Jersey action affects the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union.
"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," say both declarations.
Nationwide, Hurricane Sandy has left at least 16 people and millions without power.
More disaster declarations are expected in the hours and days ahead.
The New York and New Jersey declarations said that "federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures."
Money "is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide," said the announcements.