FEMA Releases Sandy Aid Figures for Montclair

More than 500 Montclair residents applied for federal aid after Hurricane Sandy damaged their homes and apartments in October, according to figures recently released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Homeowners

There were 165 residents in Montclair (07042) who applied for aid. The average FEMA inspected damage for these homes was $1,675. 

Of these homes, 42 reported damage of up to $10,000, one reported damage between $10,000 and $20,000, and one reported damage between $20,000 and $30,000. 

In Upper Montclair (07043), 71 homes were reportedly damaged. The average FEMA inspected damage for these homes was $657. 

Twenty-three of these homes reported damage up to $10,000. 

Renters

There were 184 renters in Montclair who reported damage from the storm. However, there was only one renter who reported major damage. 

In Upper Montclair, 34 renters applied for aid, with none reporting major damage. 

Township

The total cost to the township from the super storm was about $1 million. 

The price tag was more than double the original estimate.  

The damage and cleanup costs also were a major cost driver in Montclair's 2013 budget, in which residents will see a 2.4 percent raise in their taxes. 

Cleanup costs for Hurricane Sandy swelled the emergency appropriations budget by about $613,000. 

“That is a major part of the increase in our budget,” said Dashield last week about the cleanup associated with Sandy. 

Schools

Montclair schools were left with damage and cleanup costs of more than $100,000, according to district estimates. 

Most of the damage from the storm was inflicted to the district’s infrastructure and school roofs, reported Interim Business Administrator Nick Puleio in November. 

In addition, the estimate included about $25,000 for the theft of 27 Apple iMac computers from Nishuane School between Oct. 30 and 31. At the time, the school had no power. 

Statewide Aid

In the more than four months since Hurricane Sandy arrived in New Jersey and caused massive destruction to its coastal communities, FEMA has distributed more than $4 billion in aid, loans, and flood insurance payouts, the agency announced recently.

FEMA provides regular updates relating to funding totals and the number of residents who have availed themselves of the agency's services as it continues to work in New Jersey to provide assistance following Sandy.

According to FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program claim payouts total approximately $2.7 billion. That figure will rise as additional claims are made and existing claims are resolved.

In all, $586.4 million in loans have been approved by the Small Business Administration. The low-interest loans - low-interest for those with positive credit scores - have been approved for homeowners, renters, and business owners impacted by the storm.

In terms of aid, specifically, FEMA has released nearly $1 billion following Sandy.

Of that total, $367.3 million has come in the form of FEMA grants, which have been issued to individuals and households impacted by the storm. Another $318 million has come in the form of housing assistance, with FEMA providing temporary shelter in hotels and motels, long-term temporary housing, rent assistance, and other housing-related services.

FEMA has also approved $188 million in Public Assistance grants to communities and non-profit organizations that serve the public. Public Assistance funding is often used by towns to supplement the cost of storm debris removal and emergency response costs.

Another $49.3 million has been released by FEMA for other, non-specific needs.

According to FEMA, 258,333 New Jersey residents have contacted FEMA for help or information. In all, 123,695 home inspections have been completed and 80,844 visits have been made to Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the state, of which nine remain open following the late October storm.

FEMA is also reminding the public to reach out for assistance if they haven't done so yet. 

From a release:

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.T hose who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The deadline for survivors to register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance and return SBA disaster loan applications is Monday, April 1.

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Survivors who have questions about flood insurance claims and the appeals process can call 888-379-9531. Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.