FEMA Tours Essex County; There May Be Good News, Lawmaker Says

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There’s a chance that Essex County may make it onto the federal government’s “disaster” list for Hurricane Ida aid after all, a congresswoman says.

Six counties in New Jersey are now eligible for special aid from the federal government after 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 Monday.

• See related article: Essex County Not On FEMA Disaster List For Ida Federal Aid

Local, county, state and federal officials said they’d continue to fight to get Essex County on the list. And for all the local homeowners and business owners clutching handfuls of unpaid bills, there’s a ray of light that just appeared at the end of the tunnel, according to U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

Sherrill, who represents the state’s 11th Congressional district, posted the following message on social media Wednesday night:

“Just received an additional briefing from FEMA officials on their response on the continued fallout from Ida. Residents located in counties that received a disaster declaration may begin to apply for Individual Assistance. FEMA is also working to set up Disaster Recovery Centers this week on the ground in these areas. They also informed us that they finished their assessment study and submitted their recommendation for Essex County to be included in the disaster declaration. Essex was hit hard with severe flooding, countless injuries, and four tragic deaths. We desperately need this federal aid, which is why [U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr.] and I are advocating so strongly.”

Payne, who represents the state’s 10th district, also pushed for federal aid in Essex County after FEMA left it off their list.

“Last week, I met with residents to see the damage Tropical Storm Ida did to their homes personally,” Payne said. “It is going to cost millions of dollars to clean and repair our communities.”

“I know my constituents were still recovering from losses due to COVID-19 before the flooding,” Payne added. “Now, they could lose homes and businesses permanently if we do not get federal aid to them immediately.”

In the meanwhile, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans for New Jersey small businesses that suffered flood damage after rains from Ida, the congressman said.

Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations of any size in Essex, Hudson and Union counties are eligible to apply for up to $2 million in SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The funds could be used to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. In addition, applicants could apply for a loan increase of 20 percent of their physical damages to pay for improvements to protect property from future floods, such as sump pumps or a retaining wall.

Small businesses and nonprofits that want to apply for loans can learn more here. Residents who want to request federal assistance for flood damage can learn more here.

• See related article: In Ida's Wake: Drone Captures Videos Of 2 Rivers In Essex County

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. also recently pushed for federal aid when FEMA officials visited the area.

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