Resources That May Help Chatham Residents, Businesses After Ida

CHATHAM, NJ — Residents who have battled fallen trees, mold, roof issues, wet sheetrock and other problems after Ida, may qualify for no-cost, volunteer assistance with Crisis Cleanup.

The crisis cleanup initiative collaborates with faith-based and other community organizations that may be able to assist with removing trees taken down by the storm, as well as destroyed drywall and floors. Mold mitigation and placing tarps on rooftops that may have been damaged are some of the other services that Crisis Cleanup may be able to assist with.

The hotline will be available, with services on a first-come, first-served basis, though “not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need,” according to the organization.

To call the hotline, dial 844-965-1386 or visit www.crisiscleanup.org for more details.

Representatives with the hotline aren’t able to help with FEMA-related questions; social service needs including housing, food or clothes; or insurance inquiries.

Potential Help For Small Businesses

Morris County qualifies as a “contiguous county” under disaster number NJ-00062, for damages sustained from Sept. 1 through Sept. 3 from Hurricane Ida’s remnants.

As part of the disaster declared by President Joe Biden on Sept. 5, Morris County businesses can apply for Economic Injury Loans, as a contiguous county. More information about applying for a loan is here. The Economic Injury Loans offer working capital to small businesses and non-profit organizations of different sizes, which require collateral as backing, with interest rates under three percent, for up to $2 million. For complete information about loan terms, click here.

Resources Through The State Of New Jersey And FEMA

Though Morris County isn't one of the main counties that is part of the Disaster Declaration Gov. Phil Murphy has obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA for Bergen, residents and businesses in Chatham should still visit www.disasterassistance.gov to determine potential qualification for Disaster Assistance through FEMA or updates to the Disaster Declaration counties .

Residents who would like to report damages from Ida to their home, can submit a report here to New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management.

See information here from the State of New Jersey about avoiding disaster-related scams, which can crop up after natural disasters like Ida.

NJ 211 Resources

NJ 211 is a central area where resources are provided on various topics about recovery from Ida, including free or low-cost help with transportation for people who lost their vehicle to the floods.

Through Uber and Lyft, people can find rides to help them temporarily get to work, the doctor, the grocery store and other places within New Jersey. To find out more, visit www.nj211.org/njidaride.

Visit www.nj211.org/tropical-storm-ida for a complete and updated list of resources.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.