President Bush declared Hunterdon, as well as eight other New Jersey counties, a major disaster area.
By: Linda Seida
Residents and businesses now are eligible for federal aid to help them recover from the losses incurred during the major flooding April 1-3.
President George Bush has declared nine New Jersey counties major disaster areas, including Hunterdon.
Disaster-relief funds administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, were not available until the president made the disaster declaration on April 19. The other counties now eligible for federal aid are Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, Bergen, Essex and Gloucester.
Lambertville suffered an estimated $26 million in flood-related damages to public and private, according to David Burd, coordinator of the city’s Office of Emergency Management. The state Office of Emergency Management’s issued a preliminary assessment of individual property damage throughout the state of more than $52 million.
The day after the president’s announcement, Mayor David Del Vecchio issued a letter to the residents and merchants of Lambertville, telling them how to begin the application process for disaster aid. Mayor Del Vecchio also advised them to "let us know at City Hall at 397-0110 if we can be of assistance."
To begin the application process, persons affected by the flood must call FEMA or register online. To register online, go to www.fema.gov.
To start the application process by telephone, call (800) 621-FEMA (800) 621-3362. For TTY for the hearing- or speech-impaired, call (800) 462-7585.
The phone lines will be manned from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
According to a release issued by Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, individuals can apply for financial aid under the Individual and Household Assistance program for eligible flood damage and temporary housing assistance. Small businesses affected by the flood may be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration. Low-interest loans from the SBA will be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.
In addition, federal funds will be available to the state on a cost-shared basis for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
A disaster recovery center opened Monday in Stockton so residents can meet face to face with various agencies as well as loan officers from the SBA.
In his letter to the city’s residents, Mayor Del Vecchio thanked U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, U.S. senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, and Gov. Codey, who "championed this declaration."
April 4, the senators and the congressman, along with other legislators from affected areas, sent a letter to the president, requesting he declare the counties major disaster areas. The letter preceded a formal request from Gov. Codey on April 13.
As the repairing of homes and the rebuilding of properties continues, residents of flood-damaged areas should be aware they are prime marks for scam artists, according to the Hunterdon County Office of Consumer Affairs.
"In the aftermath of a disaster, there are those who will prey upon consumers using marketing scams, deceptive door-to-door sales, home improvement scams and misleading solicitations for non-existent charities," according to a scam alert posted on the Office of Consumer Affairs Web site.
One scam involves an offer from someone who falsely claims he or she can help victims process disaster relief for a fee.
FEMA does not charge for processing a claim. Residents can start the application process themselves without help from a third party simply by calling one of the numbers listed above or by logging on to the Web site.
Another scam involves home repairs.
According to the Office of Consumer Affairs, "As flood waters recede, you may discover that your flood-damaged home or business needs extensive repairs. Unfortunately, fraudulent home repair companies may flock to your area. As you rush to make your home or office inhabitable again, use good judgment. Protect yourself from dishonest home repair contractors by calling our consumer affairs hotline at (800) 242-5846 to see if the contractor you are considering has any complaints against his or her business."