More NJ Counties May Receive FEMA Aid After Ida, Murphy Says

NEW JERSEY — If your county wasn't included in a major disaster declaration that was declared for New Jersey after the remnants of Hurricane Ida hit New Jersey last week, Gov. Phil Murphy says not to worry: he expects more FEMA aid to come to other parts of the state soon.

Last week, President Joe Biden declared that a major disaster exists in New Jersey after three tornadoes touched down in the Garden State on Sept. 1. Extra federal funding has been set aside for many - but not all - counties impacted by the storms. Read more: 3 Tornadoes Confirmed In NJ Following Ida's Historic Wrath

Biden's declaration marks the availability of extra federal funding to people who live in the counties of Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset, all areas that experienced either fatal flooding or home-destroying tornadoes.

However, the counties of Essex and Union were left off the federal government's list, to the disappointment of residents and elected officials there. Read more: President Biden Declares NJ A Major Disaster Area: What It Means

"If you are not in those six counties, we are not done," Murphy said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "Our work is not done. We're continuing to work with FEMA and county leaders across the state to expedite damage assessments and have those counties added to the major disaster declaration. This was truly a statewide event, and it demands a statewide response. We made this case directly to the president as well as the FEMA administrator."

The state Office of Emergency Management and FEMA were out in Hudson, Essex, Mercer and Union counties to conduct preliminary damage assessments on Tuesday, according to New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan.

Assessments in Burlington, Monmouth and Morris counties have been scheduled for Wednesday, and an assessment is expected to begin for Warren County soon, said Callahan, who spoke with FEMA's regional administrator earlier Wednesday morning.

"We're confident given the amount of damage that we're seeing that in short order, we do expect that to go in favor of New Jersey," Callahan said, adding that nothing's a guarantee and the state aims to manage expectations.

Officials in some of those counties expressed shock over not initially being included:

"I am shocked and angry that FEMA did not include Essex County as an area eligible for FEMA relief dollars," wrote Montclair Mayor Sean Spillar in a letter he posted publicly on his Facebook page. "Given the devastation that our residents, businesses and township had experienced, it is impossible to comprehend how FEMA determined we would not be granted assistance."

"My team and I have been on the phone with FEMA and local officials advocating for needed relief for our towns," said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D), who represents part of Montclair. "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."

Murphy said the state has no input on the order in which counties are designated to receive federal funding. The state conducts assessments using aviation units and assessments on the ground to open up the process, Callahan said.

"Although I understand the frustration of counties that were not included, that process is happening around the clock," Callahan said. "If they meet those thresholds, it is our hope that they be included in the disaster declaration."

An Emergency Declaration was declared statewide immediately, but a major disaster declaration allows individual homeowners access to federal assistance, so they can begin rebuilding, Murphy said.

Disaster recovery centers are being established, and the state is working with FEMA on a transitional sheltering program, Callahan said.

Murphy's remarks come as New Jersey braces for another storm to hit the state on Wednesday. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to move through New Jersey on Wednesday night, with potential for flash flooding in areas that were hit hard by remnants of Hurricane Ida last week, as well as possible tornadoes. Read more here: Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain In NJ Forecast: See Timeline

As of Wednesday, 27 fatalities have been reported in the Garden State as a result of last week's storm. Murphy is imploring residents to stay off the roads and heed warnings this time around to prevent additional deaths.

Anyone outside of one of the counties already covered by the major disaster declaration can visit http://nj.gov/ida to report their damages. Murphy also stressed that all New Jersey residents should get flood insurance, even if they live outside a flood zone.

Callahan and Murphy also reminded residents to pay attention to the alerts they see on their phones and heed warnings related to flash flooding and tornadoes. Callahan said everyone the state police has spoken to in Gloucester County went into their basement as soon as they saw their tornado alerts, and as a result, no Ida-deaths have been reported in South Jersey.

"Regardless of what it is, whether it's tornado or flooding, we ask folks to pay heed to that, to stay safe and to not have to be rescued," Callahan said.

They also warned those who considered engaging in price gouging in the wake of the storm.

"We're watching," Callahan said. "I spoke to the mayor of Wenonah last week, and we were already to starting to have exorbitant prices. And $37,000 to have to remove trees from your front yard is unacceptable."

To report possible price gouging or consumer fraud, visit njconsumeraffairs.gov.

With reporting by Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff.