As recovery efforts from the tropical storm continue, I’m passing along some resources that may be of benefit to you and your constituents.
Late last night, President Biden approved New Jersey’s Major Disaster Declaration request under the Stafford Act, unlocking additional federal aid for New Jersey constituents and governments. The Major Disaster Declaration was granted to the State of NJ (providing some funding to all 21 counties - restrictions apply) as well as to 6 NJ Counties (i.e. Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset). This is NOT the final list of designated counties. FEMA and the NJ Office of Emergency Management (OEM) are currently on the ground in additional counties working around the clock to finish preliminary damage assessments, including Essex, Hudson, Union, and Mercer counties. According to FEMA, additional NJ counties may be declared early this week. Attached, you will find a fact sheet on the criteria for meeting the disaster declaration threshold. It is important that you communicate with your local/county OEM to report damage, and/or visit the State’s online portal at https://nj.gov/ida.
In addition to mobilizing emergency responses from various Federal Agencies, the Major Disaster Declaration unlocks 3 main streams of federal funding to affected counties via FEMA:
• Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households;
• Public Assistance - Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster damaged facilities;
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance – Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
*See also this FEMA Fact Sheet.
Counties which do not meet the major disaster declaration threshold will still have access to emergency federal funding and resources through the State’s eligibility, although the type(s) of assistance may be restricted. For more information on the FEMA disaster declaration process, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/how-declared.
Important Information & Resources:
• Reporting Damage: To report damage caused by the storm, please use https://nj.gov/ida/. NOTE: Be sure to keep all of your receipts relating to Hurricane Ida recovery!
• FEMA Resources: The official disaster declaration webpage for New Jersey from FEMA provides information on assistance for families, local resources, and the latest news from the agency: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4614#local-resources.
• Red Cross: People in need of emergency assistance from the Red Cross can call: (800) RED-CROSS or (800) 507-6058. For people who have been displaced, please use the Red Cross website to find a shelter near you.
• Donations/Volunteerism: If you wish to assist with the recovery efforts, you should check in with your local governments/orgs first, or visit FEMA’s Volunteer/Donate page.
As always, our office stands ready to assist in any way possible. Please reply back to this email or call (973) 639-8700 if there is anything that we can do to help.
Warmly,
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Hanna Mori, Esq.
State Director | U.S. Senator Cory Booker
1 Gateway Ctr., 23rd Fl., Newark, NJ 07102
O: (973) 639-8700 | M: (202) 494-1128
