Essex County Now On FEMA Disaster List For Hurricane Ida Relief

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Residents in Essex County who suffered damage to their homes or businesses in Hurricane Ida are now eligible for emergency federal relief funds.

As of Friday, FEMA’s official disaster declaration list includes Essex County. It’s a big step forward after the county was left off the initial list earlier this week.

Apply for assistance here, or learn more about the Individual Assistance program.

“Hurricane Ida, with her unprecedented rainfall and flooding, upended the lives of our families and devasted our local businesses,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Becoming eligible for disaster relief is welcome news for those who have been salvaging what they can, working to clean up and preparing to rebuild,” DiVincenzo continued. “I appreciate FEMA sending their team to survey the damage throughout Essex and see the areas affected by the storm.”

The county executive thanked Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and U.S. Reps. Donald Payne Jr., Mikie Sherrill, Tom Malinowski and Albio Sires for their “strong and vocal advocacy on behalf of Essex.”

Other state officials in New Jersey also pushed to bring federal relief funds to Essex County, including Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Sen. Kristin Corrado.

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Essex County saw at least four fatalities during the storm and experienced flooding that ruined businesses and livelihoods across the region. But when the county didn’t appear on FEMA’s list, elected officials pledged to fight until it did.

This week, FEMA officials paid a visit to the county to take a look at the damage, meeting with residents and officials along the way who insisted it met the criteria of a “disaster.”

• See related article: FEMA Tours Essex County; There May Be Good News, Lawmakers Say

The flooding was been nothing short of devastating for a long list of local businesses, schools and homeowners across the county. Local damage included:

Flights were temporarily suspended at Newark Airport amid a torrential rain and severe flooding in the terminals. Read More: Video Shows Newark Airport Flooding In 'Biblical' Storm

Livingston police almost got swept away by raging floodwaters while trying to rescue stranded victims. Read More: Daring Flood Rescue In Livingston Makes Cops, Firefighters Proud

In Montclair, four local schools suffered what an administrator called "Ida's wrath." Read More: Montclair Schools Damaged In Storm; 'Ida's Wrath' Hits Hard

A family that owns a Nutley restaurant was already struggling with a cancer diagnosis and prior flood damage. Then Tropical Storm Ida hit – and they lost everything they had left. Read More: Nutley Restaurant Was Family's Livelihood; Ida Stole It From Them

Another restaurant in Essex County has seen an outpouring of support since it was devastated by flood damage. Read More: 'Ruined' In Storm, Anthony's Cheesecake and Restaurant Sees Outpouring Of Love

In Caldwell, a resident captured video footage of the storm, showing just how powerful a flash flood can be. Read More: Power Of Flood On Full Display In The Caldwells (VIDEOS)

In Belleville, the floods left people stranded on the roofs of their cars, forcing emergency responders to dropping off stranded residents at Town Hall, McDonald's and other safe spots. Read More: Belleville-Nutley Update: Ida Wallops Towns, Here's The Latest

In Bloomfield, local firefighters have been hitting the streets nonstop and bailing water out of basements throughout the township. Read More: Bloomfield FD Still Bailing Water Out Of Basements Days After Ida

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