Gov. Mikie Sherrill has requested a federal major disaster declaration for Monmouth, Atlantic and Cape May counties following a severe nor'easter that struck New Jersey in September.

Sherrill sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Monday seeking federal assistance to help the three counties recover from storm damage.

According to the governor's office, FEMA validated preliminary damages totaling nearly $27 million across the three counties: $13.8 million in Cape May County, $8.5 million in Monmouth County and $4.7 million in Atlantic County.

All three counties exceeded FEMA's per capita damage indicators, ranging from nearly three times the threshold in Monmouth County to 30 times in Cape May County.

If approved, the declaration would allow the state and affected counties to seek reimbursement for eligible storm-related costs through FEMA's Public Assistance program. The request also seeks funding for projects aimed at reducing damage from future storms.

"We are working to ensure our coastal communities have the resources they need to recover from the September Nor'easter," Sherrill said in a statement.

The request follows a separate request last week for federal assistance under Public Law 84-99 to repair eligible U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects damaged by the storm.

The governor's office said FEMA assistance would help cover damaged coastal areas outside the Army Corps' authority.