Officials Upset After Union County Left Off FEMA Disaster List

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County officials are upset after the county was left off FEMA's approved "disaster" list. This means Union County residents are ineligible to apply for special aid from the federal government after Tropical Storm Ida caused havoc across the area.

"Union County has been left to fend for itself," said Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso.

"After witnessing the devastation to so many Clark and fellow Union County residents at the hands of Hurricane Ida, I am appalled at the decision of President Biden, Governor Murphy and FEMA to leave Union County off of the New Jersey Disaster Declaration," said Bonaccorso.

Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella noted that Union County was hit hard in multiple locations with flash floods and fatalities.

Union County had five deaths as a result of Ida including a Union Township man who drowned after getting his car stuck in floodwaters. Read More: Union Man Drowns In Ida Flood Waters After Car Gets Stuck

"For many, the situation is dire and critical. This storm, and its aftermath, was in many aspects worse than what our County experienced with Hurricane Sandy. Our residents need this federal assistance to cover uninsured property losses, repairs, temporary housing for those that were displaced and recovery of what, in many cases, are entire livelihoods. Inclusion of Union County in the New Jersey Disaster Declaration is not only necessary, but essential," said Mirabella.

Garwood Mayor Sara Todisco also sent a letter to Biden asking that Union County be added to the federal list.

"For Garwood with a population of approximately 4,500, we were fortunate enough not to suffer any deaths or injuries. However, about one-third of our community had property and automobile damages due to the immense flooding. Also, we need to replace various equipment and repair our Department of Public Works building, which was damaged by Hurricane Ida," said Todisco.

President Joe Biden declared on Sunday 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. Read More: President Biden Declares NJ A Major Disaster Area (What It Means)

However, Union and Essex counties were both left off that list.

"The mayors and citizens of Union County deserve to know why their needs are being ignored. Why they have been left off the New Jersey Disaster Declaration? They should be made to understand if Union County was on Governor Murphy’s original list, why was it not embraced by the federal government? Why are they ignoring the devastation suffered by this county? Union County residents and elected officials have a right to know," said Bonaccorso.

Union County officials and Bonaccorso said they will continue to advocate for funding for residents.

If Union County residents need assistance with shelter, food, childcare or other resources, call Union County at 1-888-845-3434.

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