Ida Update: Hoboken Mayor Says To Document Flood-Damaged Items

HOBOKEN, NJ — Using words like "disappointing" and "crazy," Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and numerous mayors around North Jersey said this week that they hope their towns are included in a second round of federal funding after Tropical Depression Ida, because they were left out of the first.

[RELATED: NWS Says Flash Floods Possible Late Wednesday Night]

Officials have said they may get word as soon as Wednesday that more areas will be approved for the funds. When a town is considered a "Major Disaster Area," its residents can more easily apply for federal funding.

President Joseph Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had approved on Monday a Major Disaster Declaration for six New Jersey counties, including Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset counties.

Bhalla said this week that he was it was "disappointing that Hudson County was not on this initial list. Hoboken, and other parts of Hudson County were hit just as hard as areas in the six counties listed ... our county deserves to receive federal assistance as soon as possible."

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop went a step further and Tweeted that excluding his area, which he said suffered $35 million in damage, was "absolutely crazy/shameful."

Bhalla urged residents to document all damage with photos and by other means, before throwing items out.

He said residents should report flood damage to: www.nj.gov/ida, which will help Hoboken be included in the next round of funding.

Why Does The List Matter?

When flooding as serious as what happened last week occurs, it's helpful when American towns or counties qualify under FEMA as "major disaster areas" because residents can then apply for federal funding.

If you live or own a business in those six original counties on FEMA's list, and sustained storm-related losses, you can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Things FEMA will help pay for include home repairs, temporary housing, low-cost loans and other programs to help recover from the effects of the storm.

Read Prior Hoboken Storm Coverage Here.

Samantha Mercado and Carly Baldwin contributed to this story.

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