$1.45M In Hurricane Ida Damages Reimbursed By FEMA To Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Superstorm Ida took a serious toll on Bridgewater's infrastructure in 2021 causing around $1.9 million in damages.

Two years later, the township was able to recoup $1.45 million in funding from FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency), said Bridgewater OEM Coordinator and Police Sgt. James Edwards.

Edwards gave a presentation to the Bridgewater Township Council at the Sept. 21 meeting on where they currently stand on funding.

The township also requested an additional $800,000 for damages to its roads, which Edwards said FEMA initially denied.

"However, we submitted an extensive appeal on that denial and are awaiting word from FEMA," said Edwards.

Additionally, the township is also submitting a request for $122,513 in management costs.

"$1.45 million is a substantial amount. Most of it is associated with our sanitary sewer," said Council President Michael Kirsh."There was absolute devastation from the power of water rushing down the Middle Brook, damaging the Route 22 bridge, and taking out the concrete embankment that previously housed our sanitary sewer. I think 70 or 80 feet of that sewer was severed creating a potential substantial environmental hazard."

Township Administrator Michael Pappas said the amount received from FEMA is for the Middle Brook sewer main and the embankment of Vosseller Avenue up on the mountain.

"We also had an initial reimbursement for debris that had been collected from various properties throughout town," said Pappas.

He added the Township is still waiting for the requested reimbursement for 90 percent of the damage to various roads.

"We have also sought the assistance of Congressman Kean to try to urge FEMA to seriously consider this," said Pappas.

The Township was eligible to receive a 75 percent reimbursement from FEMA for much of their emergency expenditures. Instead, the Township was awarded 90 percent of the reimbursement.

Council Vice President Timothy Ring noted that the amount received was "higher than normal allocation."

"The glass is 90 percent full," said Kirsh.

Councilman Howard Norglais commended Edwards for his leadership on this.

"He has been living with this issue for years. And he faithfully reports each and every year and agonizes on the amount that has been covered and the amount still to be covered. And I thank you for your leadership and backbone in continuing to push this."

"Yes, thank you on behalf of all of our residents, thank you. Because certainly, every dollar you can recover is a dollar we don't have to spend," said Kirsh.

Following Ida in 2021, Bridgewater Township Engineer Bill Burr reported damages to the sewer main under Route 22, Vosseller Avenue, and 18 other damaged roadways. Read More: Ida Aftermath: $2.4M In Repairs Continues In Bridgewater

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