Christie Promises 'Gentle Pressure' on Utility Bosses for Power Restoration [VIDEO]

Gov. Chris Christie said he would keep "my type of gentle pressure" on the heads of New Jersey utilities until electricity has been restored to all residents.

Speaking in Manville, after touring the flood-ravaged borough and a Red Cross emergency shelter housing about 300 area residents, Christie said more than 600,000 New Jerseyans remain without power Monday after service had been restored to about 250,000.

"I think they're doing pretty well, but the reason I'm talking to them is that I don't want them to lose focus," he said.

Christie also said he had filed for disaster relief funding with the Obama Administration before the hurricane, which has been approved by the president.

"The Obama Administration has been fabulous to deal with on this—the president deserves credit for putting really competent people in those jobs and they're executing very, very well," Christie added.

He said the state will be compiling damage estimates to submit to FEMA for reimbursement.