Politics & Government
‘Shock’ In Montclair After County Left Off Ida Disaster List
Mayor Spiller: "On behalf of the township, I'm shocked and angry that FEMA didn't include Essex County as an area eligible for relief."
MONTCLAIR, NJ — If you’re “shocked and angry” that Essex County was left off the list of those eligible for federal disaster aid after Hurricane Ida, you’re not alone, according to Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller.
Six counties in New Jersey are now eligible for special aid from the federal government after Hurricane Ida caused havoc across the state last week. But although Essex County saw at least four fatalities during the storm and experienced flooding that ruined businesses and livelihoods across the region, it's not currently on FEMA's approved "disaster" list, officials said.
- See related article: Essex County Not On FEMA Disaster List For Ida Federal Aid
“On behalf of the Township of Montclair, I am shocked and angry that FEMA did not include Essex County as an area eligible for FEMA relief dollars,” Spiller said Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Given the devastation that our residents, businesses, and township have experienced, it is impossible to comprehend how FEMA determined we would not be granted assistance from the federal government,” Spiller continued. “I stand with County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Governor Phil Murphy in demanding we become eligible for disaster relief funding.”
I join our County Executive & Governor in demanding that our county & all those who have been devastated in Montclair also be included 4 FEMA relief. In conversations w/Governor's team, FEMA still reviewing counties & more may be added as early as tomorrow. Will keep pressure on! pic.twitter.com/iTFYBNhE4E
— Sean M. Spiller (@SeanMSpiller) September 6, 2021
Montclair Councilman Peter Yacobellis shared Spiller’s frustration.
Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“I'm happy to see many counties around New Jersey receive the formal federal major disaster declaration,” Yacobellis wrote on Sunday. “However, as of today, Essex County isn't one of them.”
“On behalf of residents and businesses in Montclair who were devastated by a record 7.54 inches of rain that sent a deluge of water into schools, homes, stores, and restaurants and created significant risk to life, I'm pleading with FEMA for this aid,” the councilman urged. “The insurance marketplace has not caught up to climate change and we still have a pandemic that people and businesses are trying to survive. We need this aid.”
But despite the current situation, there may be a light still at the end of the tunnel, he added.
“It's my understanding that the county is still being evaluated,” Yacobellis said.
- See related article: Montclair Schools Damaged In Storm; 'Ida's Wrath' Hits Hard
My team and I have been on the phone with FEMA and local officials advocating for needed relief for our towns. I stand with Gov. Murphy and counties like Essex asking that a major disaster declaration be issued for those counties who have been hit hardest. https://t.co/O5nHrZrmyV
— Rep. Mikie Sherrill (@RepSherrill) September 6, 2021
.@fema teams will be on the ground today in Essex, Hudson, Mercer, and Union counties to evaluate damages from Ida. We’re continuing to work with the federal government to ensure our residents, businesses, and municipalities get the assistance they deserve.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) September 7, 2021
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