Flood Response

In my district, all the towns in Middlesex and Mercer Counties have been designated by FEMA as eligible to receive both personal assistance and public assistance in the disaster declaration FEMA-1694-DR. This declaration is a result of the sever storm that affected NJ April 14-20, 2007.

If you are an individual or business in either Middlesex County or Mercer County who experienced damage from flooding you should register with FEMA as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-3362 between 8 am and 8 pm or visiting www.FEMA.gov . Registering is the first step to get disaster assistance. FEMA is asking that individuals register first before going to a Disaster Recovery Center.

There are two disaster recovery centers in the 12th district (see below).  Centers are open daily from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Milltown Borough Park                  Trenton Fire Station
71 Violet Terrace                            244 Perry Street
Milltown                                            Trenton

The centers are a convenient way for residents to meet face to face with recovery experts and to check the status of their Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) registration for Individual Assistance, or to learn more about other assistance they may be eligible for.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program provides grants for temporary housing, transportation expenses, moving and storage expenses, funeral, medical and dental expenses.  In addition, individuals who complete a SBA loan application -- even if they do not own a small business – may be eligible for assistance that covers structural damage, personal property, vehicle repair or replacement. To find out whether you qualify, you must register. SBA disaster experts will be on hand in the Disaster Recovery Centers to help people fill out their SBA loan packages.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program is oriented to public entities and can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of a public facility or infrastructure, which is damaged, or destroyed by a disaster.

Eligible applicants for Public assistance include State governments, local governments and any other political subdivision of the State, Native American tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations may also receive assistance. Eligible PNPs include educational, utility, irrigation, emergency, medical, rehabilitation, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and disabled), and other PNP facilities that provide essential services of a governmental nature to the general public.  PNPs that provide “critical services” (power, water--including water provided by an irrigation organization or facility, sewer, wastewater treatment, communications and emergency medical care) may apply directly to FEMA for a disaster grant. 

All other PNPs must first apply to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a disaster loan. If the PNP is declined for a SBA loan or the loan does not cover all eligible damages, the applicant may re-apply for FEMA assistance.

Assistance with Clean up
Volunteers are on hand to help New Jersey residents clean their flood damaged homes.  Residents in need of assistance should call 2-1-1 to request a free home cleanup.  Priority is being given to the elderly, disabled and others who have circumstances that make cleanup difficult, but all who need assistance with flood cleanup are encouraged to call.
 
The cleanup is being conducted by volunteers from national agencies, such as the Southern Baptist Church, Mennonite Disaster Services, Tzu-Chi Foundation and the Christian Reform World Relief Committee.  These national agencies are working in affiliation at the local level with the Salvation Army, United Way and Catholic Charities.  
 
The toll-free 211 number is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The 211 operators have valuable information on community programs and services available including housing assistance, counseling services, employment opportunities and health services.


See if you are eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance

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