Middlesex County Declares State Of Emergency Due To Ida Damage

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Middlesex County has declared a county-wide state of emergency in response to Tropical Storm Ida. The announcement was made by Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios and the Board of County Commissioners.

The declaration makes the County eligible for federal reimbursement for extraordinary measures and authorizes the County and its agencies to take steps to contain, prepare, respond, and recover from Tropical Storm Ida.

The declaration also allows the County to procure necessary goods or services under contracts that are not currently available, authorities said.

“Tropical Storm Ida has severely impacted Middlesex County, causing widespread flooding and storm damage. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is a priority, so we ask that people remain off the roadways, if able, so our emergency crews can continue to respond to those in need,” Rios said in a statement.

Officials have linked at least nine New Jerseyans' deaths to Ida, as the state continues to recover from the storm. People lost homes, streets remain flooded and public transportation has been hampered.

"It's been a sadly tragic and historic 24 hours in New Jersey," Murphy said as he stood in front of one of at least nine homes that was destroyed in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, Wednesday night. "This is going to take us some time to dig out of. We're going to stay here, and be by the side of the residents and the small businesses that have been impacted so severely."

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