Millburn's Ida Recovery Efforts Continue Into Weekend

MILLBURN, NJ — As Millburn continues its cleanup and recovery efforts after Hurricane Ida devastated much of the downtown, this weekend’s Explore Millburn activities will be focused around helping local businesses that were impacted by the storm. The organization's live concerts have been canceled.

Downtown received the most severe damage, with stores flooding and windows collapsing, and basements were also flooded in the Upper Millburn district, as well.

Large groups of Millburn students, Boy and Girl Scouts and community members were seen shoveling dirt and picking up debris along the closed-off downtown on Thursday.

Governor Phil Murphy and Rep. Tom Malinowski visited Millburn Friday morning to check-in with small businesses heavily impacted by Ida.

Murphy announced there will be $10 million in relief for small businesses, in addition to federal aid.

“Sadly, Millburn is hardly alone,” said Governor Murphy. “Millburn was crushed and the downtown small business community was crushed.”

Explore Millburn is urging people to organize small groups and head downtown to help with cleanup. Millburn Avenue between Main Street and Lackawanna Place experienced the worst damage, but there is also debris in Taylor Park and the Rose Garden that need to be removed.

They advise residents to bring garbage bags, gloves, work boots and shovels to move mud and debris. If anyone owns a pickup truck, they should let town staff know they are onsite.

Residents are encouraged to bring food, snacks, water, coffee etc. for the town workers and volunteers. Some stores, including Oscar’s Deli, Rock N’ Joe’s and Coffee Mill are open and could use business, as well.

Lastly, Explore Millburn-Short Hills has started a recovery fund where people can donate money to help local businesses get back on their feet. To donate by credit card, debit card or PayPal people can go to this page.

Mayor Tara Prupis announced in a news flash Friday morning that many residents have had significant loss to property and damage, and some have even been displaced because of the extent of damage in their homes. Prupis said she hopes to see financial efforts made for residents that have been impacted.

Millburn Fire Department and the Public Works department are continuing to pump out standing water from low lying, residential basement and commercial basements.

Prupis said the township has received over 150 calls for these services, and residents who have called have been added to a queue and will be attended to as crews and pumps become available.

Live music performances that were set to occur this weekend on Main Street have been canceled.

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