UNION BEACH -
Governor Chris Christie called out the national flood insurance program Tuesday saying it is "a disgrace" because it is moving too slowly to process payments to homeowners with damage from Hurricane Sandy.
In Monmouth County Tuesday, Christie said that only 30% of federal flood insurance claims have been resolved more than three months after Hurricane Sandy.
"The fact of the matter is, I've been as patient as I'm going to be with the National Flood Insurance Plan and now I'm going to have to turn my special brand of love and affection onto the National Flood Insurance Program and this morning is the start of that. They need to get more people in New Jersey, they need to get to work in processing these claims," Christie said during his address in Union Beach.
Christie praised private insurers, saying 85 percent of Sandy–related homeowner claims have been settled.
FEMA has responded, saying over 50% of claims have been closed, and that the agency has reduced paperwork to allow for quicker assistance.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
