Jersey Awaits Word On Fed Flood Aid

New Jersey is awaiting word from the Clinton administration on Governor Whitman's request to declare Morris and Sussex counties federal disaster areas.

Once the word comes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would open an office in the area to process claims.

A Whitman spokeswoman is expecting a decision by the end of the week.

Torrential rains on Saturday and Monday damaged thousands of homes and wiped out dozens of bridges, roads and dams.

Hundreds of northwest New Jersey residents were forced from their homes by floods, but have since returned.

The search continues for a missing kayaker who went out on the swollen Musconetcong River.

State police say 2,700 residences and businesses in Sussex and Morris counties reported some flood-related damage.

Damage to the area is estimated at more than $100 million.