Over 2,800 Mercer County Residents Register for Aid

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County administration.

More than 300 local residents affected by Hurricane Irene were able to take advantage of the resources arranged by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Mercer County Community College, Hughes announced.

FEMA closed Mercer’s DRC to in-person traffic on Wednesday, Oct. 26, but will continue to accept registrations via Internet or by phone. Additionally, FEMA has extended its registration deadline for renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene. Families, individuals and businesses in New Jersey that suffered damage from Hurricane Irene now have until Nov. 30 to register for federal assistance.

“I am deeply grateful to College President Dr. Pat Donohue for helping provide for our residents without hesitation by hosting the FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center on the West Windsor Campus, and for helping us transport residents from the City of Trenton directly to the site on the shuttle system that runs from the Kerney Campus to the West Windsor Campus,” Hughes said. “It was a great effort by all.”

The center was opened on Sept. 16 and operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to directly assist residents in Mercer County that suffered damages resulting from Hurricane Irene crossing our state in August.

By the time the Federal Emergency Management Agency closed the center on Oct. 26, in addition to the more than 300 county residents had visited the center and received much needed advice and assistance from a variety of government agencies and programs, as of Oct. 27 there were a total of 2,897 Mercer County residents that registered for assistance from FEMA by calling the FEMA registration phone number, going to the FEMA website or by coming to the Disaster Recovery Center at the college.

“Mercer County Community College contributes so much to our communities and this effort is another example of their willingness to cooperate and help others as they do on a regular basis.” Hughes added.

Residents who were affected can still apply for assistance through Nov. 30. There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA). 

Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information such as their name, the name of the business, address, phone number, insurance coverage, and other information to help substantiate losses.