MAYOR BOOKER REMINDS RESIDENTS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRENE TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER REMINDS RESIDENTS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRENE TO APPLY

FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AT (800) 621-3362 OR ONLINE AT WWW.FEMA.GOV;

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS OCTOBER 31

Federal disaster relief grants and loans are still available for damages suffered from Hurricane Irene and related flooding during Aug. 27 through Sept. 5, 2011;

Residents are warned that they will not be reimbursed by FEMA if they do not file claims

Newark, NJ R11; October 11, 2011 R11; Mayor Cory A. Booker, Members of the Municipal Council, Business Administrator Julien X. Neals Esq. and Newark Emergency Management and Domestic Preparedness Director Keith Isaac reminded Newark residents today whose homes, businesses or property were damaged by Hurricane Irene that the deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Monday, October 31, 2011. Applications can be found on the web at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at (800) 621-3362 (FEMA). Call TTY (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available. Residents are warned that they will not be reimbursed by FEMA if they do not file claims.

R20;Newark like many municipalities throughout the state was severely affected by Hurricane Irene. If you have suffered property damage as a result Hurricane Irene and related flooding, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance funds. I urge Newark residents to call Federal Emergency Management Agency hotline number if they need assistance,R21; Mayor Booker said. R20;If you do not file a claim, you will not receive assistance.R21;

Federal assistance became available after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration on Aug. 31. Federal disaster relief grants and loans are still available for damages suffered from Hurricane Irene and related flooding, during August 27 through September 5, 2011. According to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Office (NJOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), nearly $38 million in federal disaster assistance is helping fund the ways New Jerseyans are recovering from Hurricane Irene.

R20;City officials have met with FEMA representatives, who have reiterated that agencyR17;s commitment to help Newark residents and businesses that have suffered as a result of Irene,R21; said Business Administrator Neals. R20;FEMA can only help, however, if those residents and businesses contact FEMA and file their claims.R21;

R20;Many Newark residents suffered damage to their homes, property, or business as a result of Hurricane Irene. Federal funds are available to help pay the costs of repairing that damage,R21; said Director Isaac.

FEMA will provide disaster assistance to residents for the following:

• Temporary Housing(a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available.
• Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.
• Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
• Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

• Disaster-related medical and dental costs.
• Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.
• Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).
• Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
• Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
• Disaster damaged vehicle.
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).
• Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
• Other expenses that are authorized by law.

For additional information on Hurricane or disaster preparedness, please visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website at http://www.nj.gov/njoem/or www.ready.gov .You can also call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA or visit the following websites at www.fema.gov , or www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for disaster assistance.

For more information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact: Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nationR17;s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major commuter and freight rail lines, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

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