Essex County Not On FEMA Disaster List For Ida Federal Aid

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Six counties in New Jersey are now eligible for special aid from the federal government after Hurricane Ida caused havoc across the state last week. But although Essex County saw at least four fatalities during the storm and experienced flooding that ruined businesses and livelihoods across the region, it’s not currently on FEMA’s approved “disaster” list, officials said Monday.

President Joe Biden has declared that a major disaster exists in the state of New Jersey due to the unprecedented damage and flooding from Ida. Biden's declaration is significant because it makes extra federal funding available to people who live in the counties of Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset, area that experienced either fatal flooding or home-destroying tornadoes.

• See related article: President Biden Declares NJ A Major Disaster Area (What It Means)

Essex and Union counties were left off the federal government's list, much to the disappointment of many residents. There’s some hope that either county may yet make the list, however.

According to the White House press office:

“Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.”

“We’re working with the federal government to get additional counties added and New Jerseyans the support they need,” Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted Sunday.

According to the governor’s office, the state has launched a data collection portal to gather data from impacted residents outside of the six counties where FEMA has made its major disaster declaration. The state portal will record basic information including name, location, damages and cost, and need from impacted residents and businesses. It is accessible at nj.gov/ida and damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com.

Several elected officials who represent Essex County supported Murphy’s bid to get federal funds flowing in the area.

“I’m terribly disappointed that FEMA didn’t include Essex County among the areas eligible for federal recovery assistance from Hurricane Ida,” County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“The storm was indiscriminate in how it destroyed businesses and residences, flooded entire downtown areas, buckled roads and took lives,” DiVincenzo continued. “We understood the severity of the storm and declared a State of Emergency prior to its arrival because we knew the aftereffects would be devastating. The tremendous losses by residents and businesses owners of Essex County should not be overlooked – we don’t deserve to be forgotten by FEMA.”

The sentiment was shared by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of the 11th Congressional district, and U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of the 10th district.

“While I was relieved to see Passaic County included in the recent declaration, some of the worst-hit towns were in Essex,” Sherrill stated.

• See related article: 'Shock' In Montclair After County Left Off Ida Disaster List

Those pushing for Essex County also included Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, who called on President Biden to designate Union, Morris and Essex counties major disaster areas from the catastrophic damage.

“The flooding that took place last week caused untold damage,” Bramnick said. “Residents of these counties are unable to apply for federal assistance and that must be fixed immediately.”

Four confirmed deaths have been reported in Essex County, including one in Maplewood and another in Bloomfield. And dive crews have suspended the search for two missing college students believed to have been swept away in flood waters, one from Seton Hall and another from Montclair State University.

Meanwhile, the flooding has been nothing short of devastating for a long list of local businesses, schools and homeowners across the county. Local damage included:

Flights were temporarily suspended at Newark Airport amid a torrential rain and severe flooding in the terminals. Read More: Video Shows Newark Airport Flooding In ‘Biblical’ Storm

Livingston police almost got swept away by raging floodwaters while trying to rescue stranded victims. Read More: Daring Flood Rescue In Livingston Makes Cops, Firefighters Proud

In Montclair, four local schools suffered what an administrator called "Ida's wrath." Read More: Montclair Schools Damaged In Storm; 'Ida's Wrath' Hits Hard

A family that owns a Nutley restaurant was already struggling with a cancer diagnosis and prior flood damage. Then Tropical Storm Ida hit – and they lost everything they had left. Read More: Nutley Restaurant Was Family's Livelihood; Ida Stole It From Them

Another restaurant in Essex County has seen an outpouring of support since it was devastated by flood damage. Read More: 'Ruined' In Storm, Anthony's Cheesecake and Restaurant Sees Outpouring Of Love

In Caldwell, a resident captured video footage of the storm, showing just how powerful a flash flood can be. Read More: Power Of Flood On Full Display In The Caldwells (VIDEOS)

In Belleville, the floods left people stranded on the roofs of their cars, forcing emergency responders to dropping off stranded residents at Town Hall, McDonald's and other safe spots. Read More: Belleville-Nutley Update: Ida Wallops Towns, Here's The Latest

In Bloomfield, local firefighters have been hitting the streets nonstop and bailing water out of basements throughout the township. Read More: Bloomfield FD Still Bailing Water Out Of Basements Days After Ida

This article contains reporting by Carly Baldwin, Patch staff

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