Morris County Ida Survivors Now Eligible For FEMA Assistance: How To Get Help

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County is now included. The Federal Emergency Management Agency added the area to the list of New Jersey counties eligible for individual assistance in recovering from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

That means residents and businesses impacted by the storm can apply for possible federal aid. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible, officials said.

Ida brought significant flooding to Morris County and New Jersey, with more than half a foot of rain hitting the region. State officials have reported 27 deaths from the storm. No storm-related deaths or missing persons were reported in Morris County, officials told Patch.

President Joe Biden didn't include Morris County in his initial disaster declaration Sept. 6. But after further assessment, the area now joins Passaic, Somerset, Gloucester, Union, Mercer, Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Essex and Hudson Counties in eligibility for personal claims.

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/ or by downloading the FEMA App on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

If it isn't possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel, give FEMA the number for that service.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security number, if available.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• If uninsured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families to recover from the effects of the event.

New Jersey continues to gather data from those impacted outside the 10 counties where FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration. The state portal will record basic information including name, location, damages, cost and need from impacted residents and businesses.

It is accessible at nj.gov/ida and damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com. Those submitting damages to this system must apply for FEMA assistance separately if the county they live in is designated in the future.

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