NJ governor: Fed flood insurance program 'awful'

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says federal flood insurance claims from Superstorm Sandy are being paid too slowly.

Christie stepped up criticism of the federal program on Townsquare Media's "Ask the Governor" program Wednesday.

The Republican governor says he complained to President Barack Obama over the weekend that "the performance of the national flood insurance program is unacceptable, that it's awful."

Christie says private insurers have been more responsive, settling more than 90 percent of claims. He also reports most of the debris left on land at the Jersey Shore after the October storm is gone.

Christie has been criticized for hiring a Florida debris removal firm without putting the $100 million contract to bid.

Obama last month signed a $9.7 billion bill to replenish the National Flood Insurance Program, which has received more than 100,000 Sandy claims.