Gov. Jon Corzine has declared states of emergency in six New Jersey counties battered by the recent nor’easter.

The six — Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean — were among those areas whose beaches and shore protection were heavily damaged by the powerful storm system born from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.

The declaration made Sunday afternoon could open the way for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for repairs.

The storm — which contained heavy rains and strong, gusty winds — pounded the state for more than three days and caused massive beach erosion, moderate to major flooding and scattered power outages throughout the state.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.