FEDERAL DISASTER AID IS STILL AVAILABLE
Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council and Newark Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Keith Isaac reminded residents that the Federal Emergency Management Administration has extended the deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance funds for home and business owners and renters affected by the severe rains and flooding that impacted New Jersey from March 12 to April 15, 2010. The deadline to apply for such aid is now Thursday, July 1, 2010.
Homeowners, renters, and business owners in Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties can apply for federal disaster assistance funds by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or on-line at www.disasterassistance.gov Speech or hearing-impaired residents should use TTY 1-800-462-7585.
“Nature had a powerful and harsh impact on our State and region in March,” Mayor Booker said. “I urge residents, tenants, and business owners whose property was damaged by the heavy rains and flooding to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency and learn about the resources available to help them recover from nature’s wrath. I commend our Office of Emergency Management, which stayed on top of the situation during the storm, coordinating our response to it, and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.”
A record 3.99 inches of rain hammered down on Newark and North Jersey on March 13, 2010, causing damage and flooding across the region, along with winds that gusted up to 70 miles an hour. Most NJ Transit rail service was suspended, and as many as 260,000 residents statewide lost electrical power.
According to Director Isaac, the City of Newark suffered some flooding on Meeker and Frelinghuysen Avenues that day, but the Office of Emergency Management monitored the area and barricaded the arteries when necessary, so that no vehicles or motorists were trapped. The OEM also coordinated municipal and county responses to any reported incidents of flooding. It also monitored conditions at nursing homes and other care centers around the City, to make sure their backup generators were working in case of power failure. No care center reported any problems during the storm.
Director Isaac said that persons contacting FEMA should have the following information ready when they call for assistance:
- Address and contact phone number
- Social Security number
- Current mailing address
- Date the damage occurred
- Address of the affected property
- Brief description of the damages
- Insurance information
- Family’s gross income
“While many property owners have insurance, some losses may not be covered,” Director Isaac said. “Residents who have suffered damage and losses should contact FEMA, and find out what disaster relief is available to them.”
The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is the City of Newark’s lead agency in planning for and responding to man-made or natural disasters that may impact the City of Newark and its residents, ranging from hurricanes to hazmat spills. It unites resources and agencies for planning, prevention, and preparedness, directs the response to events when warranted, and oversees recovery efforts.
For more information about any City of Newark program, call the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
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