Ida Hits Nutley Family Hard; West Orange School Worker Needs Help

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The West Orange community is pitching in to help a security worker at the high school and his family, who live in Nutley, recover from Hurricane Ida.

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign gave details about the fundraiser, which benefits Jose Estrada and his family. Learn more or make a donation here.

As per the campaign:

“Jose Estrada is a beloved member of the West Orange High School security team, and has worked at some point in just about every building in the district.

“The evening of September 1, Jose and his wife, Noura, tucked their two girls into bed and kissed them goodnight. Shortly thereafter, they would each have a daughter propped on their shoulders, traversing through waist-high waters, barely escaping what was Hurricane Ida as it decimated their town of Nutley, NJ.

“They were evacuated from their home because the area was flooding -- fast. So they climbed in Jose's car and drove to a parking lot they thought was on high enough ground. Once the water rose to the car windows, Jose and Noura knew they couldn't stay there any longer. That's when they began their trek to safety, which they found in a very generous business owner who opened his doors to them.

“Once the storm passed, however, the real nightmare began. Jose and Noura learned both of their cars were destroyed in the flooding, and their home was nearly ruined. It was absolutely ravaged by water. Raw sewage filled their basement from burst city pipes. The home's proximity to the Public Works building resulted in waves of tar and other biohazardous chemicals to flow into and onto the house they knew as home.

“The home has been declared uninhabitable and Jose and his family have been completely displaced, with no vehicles, and a new school year starting for their daughters.

“There is no foreseeable timeline as to when the Estradas will be able to return home. They are staying with family when they can and in hotels otherwise, and are relying on Uber for transportation.

“The expenses Jose and Noura are facing are ultimately unknown at this time, but it is clear they will be overwhelming. We are asking our West Orange family to support Jose, Noura, and their two girls in their time of need. No amount is too small. All donations will go towards food, shelter, and transportation, as well as basic daily needs until the Estradas are able to return home.

“My name is Jen Dahl and I'm an ELA teacher at WOHS. I've worked with Jose for 15 years and he has always been the first person to help anyone with whatever they may need. This time, he is the one in need, and I know many teachers and staff members have asked what they can do for him. This GoFundMe is just that: a way for us to help Jose and his family get through all of this. #westorangeohana.”

The West Orange Public School District shared the fundraiser on social media, along with a message of support.

• See related article: Essex County Now On FEMA Disaster List For Hurricane Ida Relief

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