Impacted By Hurricane Ida? NJ Wants To Hear From You.

NEW JERSEY — Some, like the family that owned the Napoli Trattoria & Pizzeria on Franklin Avenue in Nutley, lost just about everything when Hurricane Ida tore through New Jersey in September.

Others, like the millions who rely on New Jersey Transit's trains for their transportation needs, had to find another way to get to and from various places while the organization fixed its rail lines.

These Garden State residents — and the thousands more who can relate on one level or another to being affected by Hurricane Ida — are being urged to participate in an online survey prepared by Gov. Murphy's administration.

"Any New Jersey resident who was impacted by Hurricane Ida is encouraged to complete the survey," Lisa Ryan, a spokesperson for New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA), told Patch.

The answers people provide will help the Garden State will use the information to develop a plan that "informs how the $228 million in federal [Community Development Block Grant] Disaster Recovery funding should be spent," she continued.

This "unmet needs analysis" is part of the federal requirements tied to receiving the $228 million, according to Ryan.

The plan is due at the U.S. Housing and Urban Development by Sept. 28 for that agency's "review and approval," she said in the interview.

However, residents are strongly encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible and not wait until September to complete the survey, Ryan added.

Those who fill out the survey are simultaneously showing their interest in learning more about recovery and mitigation programs related to Hurricane Ida, according to DCA.

"The survey is currently required if people want to apply for future Ida recovery and mitigation programs once they begin," DCA also said.

More information about the survey and the survey itself is available at this link.

Got a news tip? Story idea? Send me an email with the details at janel.miller@patch.com.