NEW YORK, July 2 (Xinhua) -- New Jersey is still awaiting word on federal disaster aid Sunday as residents of cities and towns along the Delaware River continued the hard process of cleaning up from the previous week's major flooding.

    Governor Jon Corzine last week asked President Bush to declare the state a major disaster area, making the state eligible to request federal relief funds.

    According to Jennie Raab, spokeswoman of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Corzine's letter had been received. But FEMA officials, as well as state officials, were still assessing damage Sunday morning. She said a recommendation would soon be made to the president.

    Thousands of New Jersey residents were evacuated on Wednesday and Thursday, joining thousands of others who fled rising water across the river in Pennsylvania and upstream in New York state following a record rain storm.

    At least 20 deaths in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Virginia were blamed on the deluge.

    By early Saturday, the National Weather Service was reporting that the Delaware River had fallen below flood stage throughout the region. And with the flooding over, homeowners faced extensive repairs to flooring, electrical systems and appliances. Enditem