Somerset County Gets Federal Disaster Declaration

Residents Can Start Registering With FEMA

 

Somerset County is part of the Presidential disaster declaration issued yesterday for a number of New Jersey counties impacted by Hurricane Irene.

“This is good news for residents of Manville, Bound Brook, Somerville and other communities in Somerset County who sustained damage from the weekend storm,” said Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski.  “We encourage all eligible residents to start the FEMA application process as soon as they can.”

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Preliminary estimates show that some 3,400 homes and about 250 businesses in Somerset County sustained storm damage.  Towns hardest hit were Manville, Bound Brook and Somerville .

Other counties where residents are eligible for individual assistance from FEMA are Bergen , Essex, Morris and Passaic .  For more information, visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=15536