Acting New Jersey Governor Kim Guadagno today announced that due to the hard work and dedication of state and federal emergency management officials, direct federal disaster assistance to individual New Jerseyans has now surpassed the $100 million milestone, with more than $116 million in aid going to more than 54,000 residents to date. In fewer than 30 days since federal disaster declarations were secured for all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, relief efforts have moved quickly to deliver aid to New Jerseyans impacted by Hurricane Irene and storm-related flooding. Of the $116 million in assistance that has been supplied, nearly $104 million has been provided in housing and other needs assistance, while the Small Business Administration has approved nearly $12 million in low-interest disaster loans primarily to homeowners and renters, as well as businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
“State and federal emergency management officials have been working tirelessly to deliver aid to the families of our state who have been impacted by Hurricane Irene,” said Acting Governor Kim Guadagno. “Through quick work to meet with residents, inspect damage and determine eligibility, relief efforts have now resulted in over $100 million in aid going directly to hard-hit New Jerseyans as they rebuild and recover from these disasters. It is critical that New Jerseyans register for relief before the deadline of October 31. Even if New Jerseyans already have flood insurance or aren’t sure of their eligibility for aid, registering through FEMA is necessary to determine what relief is available to them.”
Acting Governor Guadagno was joined by William Vogel, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Lt. Paul Miller, State Coordinating Officer for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in Howell to tour the homes of Madelyn Novello and Marcio and Teresa Mescia, recipients of federal Individual Assistance resulting from flooding associated with Hurricane Irene. More than 3,800 residents in Monmouth County have registered with FEMA for relief.
“Assisting the recovery from a disaster the magnitude of Hurricane Irene takes teamwork and dedication,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer William L. Vogel. “The amount of assistance that’s been provided to date reflects those commitments among our state and local partners.”
Noting that today marks 34 days until the October 31 deadline for New Jerseyans to register for relief with FEMA, Lt. Paul Miller, New Jersey OEM State Coordinating Officer, urged New Jerseyans who have yet to apply to do so immediately – even if they have flood insurance or aren’t certain of their eligibility.
"This milestone demonstrates how severely New Jersey was impacted and how strong our recovery efforts have been," said Lt. Miller. "If you have been impacted by Hurricane Irene in any way, we encourage you to teleregister with FEMA - by phone at 1800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.disasterassistance.gov. You must register with FEMA by October 31st, so don't delay."
There are three ways to register – log on to www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-3261 (FEMA), or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY, call 800-462-7585; or, use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Both numbers are available from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
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