County awaits word from feds on flood aid

BY BRIAN DONAHUE
Staff Writer

RYAN D. FENSTERMAKER A groundhog sits on a roadside guardrail on Adirondack Avenue in Spotswood during the July 17 flood. Firefighters from East Brunswick District 3 and New Brunswick responded to that area with engines and boats to assist residents. The groundhog survived the flood. The answer to whether federal aid will be made available to residents and businesses affected by the July 17 flood could come within a week.

Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spent this past Monday and Tuesday visiting damaged areas in Middlesex County and meeting with local officials. The team compiled information regarding the number of affected residences and businesses and the severity of damages before submitting a report to the agency for a decision.

Preliminary damage assessments peg the cost of the flood at $9.7 million, according to Rory Zach, Middlesex County’s emergency management coordinator. That includes $3.4 million in damages in Jamesburg; $2.2 million in Spotswood; $1.4 million in Monroe; $1.3 million in East Brunswick; $750,000 in Helmetta; $262,500 in South River; and $25,000 in Old Bridge, along with $367,000 in costs related to emergency personnel.

While numerous homes had to be evacuated during the flood, most residents were able to return within a day or two. But Zach said this week there are still six homes across Jamesburg, Spotswood and Helmetta that sustained what is considered “major damage” to their structures and still cannot be reoccupied.

At least 440 homes, 25 apartments, 20 businesses and an industrial facility were inundated and saw substantial damage from the floodwaters.

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey sent a letter to President George W. Bush on July 21 requesting a federal declaration of a major disaster and seeking relief funding.

“I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments, and that supplemental federal emergency assistance is necessary,” Codey wrote.

State Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, whose 14th Legislative District includes Monroe and Jamesburg, had asked Codey to swing disaster-declaration efforts into motion after touring the flood-ravaged areas July 18.

“This storm came out of nowhere and caused the extent of damage that most people aren’t covered for under their insurance,” Greenstein said. “It’s imperative that we seek federal aid to help homeowners, business owners and communities get back on their feet.”

In addition to public and individual assistance from FEMA, residents and business owners may also be able to obtain low-interest loans from the federal Small Business Administration.

Zach said he was “cautiously optimistic” that FEMA would make a determination on a federal disaster declaration within the next week.