Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean urged President Joseph Biden to add Union and Morris counties to the list of New Jersey counties eligible to receive federal disaster funding.

“I’ve been touring Morris and Union counties and meeting with homeowners and business owners who suffered devastating flood damage as a result of Ida,” said Kean. “It’s clear they have the same urgent need for federal support as the six New Jersey counties that have already been declared major disaster areas. I urge President Biden to extend the major disaster declaration to Union and Morris counties to ensure that all of our communities gets the help they will need for a full and successful recovery.”

Biden declared that a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida from September 1 to September 3, 2021.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in the counties of Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset.

Democrats likewise sounded the alarm bell.

Senators Nicholas Scutari and Joseph Cryan released a joint statement in response to President Biden’s recent major disaster declaration which excluded Union County.

“The remnants of Hurricane Ida brought unprecedented rainfall to many communities across New Jersey.  Union County was not immune to this extraordinary weather event which left 5 dead, hundreds homeless and thousands more who suffered significant property damage.

“As we continue to work with our state and County partners, we are asking President Biden to include Union County in the Major Disaster Declaration which will allow our residents access to essential funding to piece their lives back together again.  Our most affected communities will need resources for temporary housing and home repair grants as well as other programs that will cover uninsured property loss.

“As FEMA visits our County over the next several days to assess the full damage, we are encouraging residents who have been impacted to submit their losses on the state website www.nj.gov/ida. Union County residents can also call: 1-888-845-3434 or (908) 558-2288.  Residents who call the hotline can report damage but also get assistance with shelter, food, child care and other resources that may be needed.”