Mercer County added to FEMA disaster area list that enables residents and businesses to receive direct federal aid

FEMA has approved a major disaster declaration in Mercer County, allowing residents and business owners who have been impacted by Tropical Storm Ida last week to receive direct federal assistance.

Residents and businesses in several towns, including Princeton, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Pennington, and Ewing, suffered major flood damage during the storm.

Financial assistance for home repairs and temporary housing is available in addition to low-cost loans and other programs. Residents with homeowners or renters insurance should also file a claim with their insurance companies as soon as possible. FEMA won’t duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, but people who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for federal assistance.

Politicians in Mercer County have been under a great deal of pressure over the past several days to get Mercer County included on the major disaster area list. Originally, six counties were on the list, including neighboring Middlesex and Somerset counties. County Executive Brian Hughes announced Friday that FEMA had added Mercer to the list.

“I greatly appreciate FEMA’s response to the situation here in Mercer County, where residents in some of our communities are in dire need of assistance,” Hughes said in a prepared statement. “And I thank the Biden Administration, Senators Booker and Menendez, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Governor Phil Murphy, as well as our county Office of Emergency Management, for their help in getting Mercer much-needed federal aid and accelerating our recovery process. I also thank our residents for their patience and perseverance during this difficult time.”

Residents and business owners who suffered storm damage can apply for help online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

When you apply for assistance, FEMA advises having the following information readily available:

-A current phone number where you can be contacted

-Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

-Your Social Security number

-A general list of damage and losses

-If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Other resources for help

U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and most nonprofits. Similar to FEMA, the Small Business Administration cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. Small businesses, people engaged in aquaculture, and most nonprofits, can apply for up to $2 million for working capital needs even if there was no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs. For homeowners, up to $200,000 is available to repair or replace a primary residence. For homeowners and renters, up to $40,000 is available to replace personal property, including vehicles. Businesses and residents can apply at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. For information and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. The Small Business Administration will answer your questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage.

Residents who need assistance with cleaning up damage from Tropical Storm Ida can also call the Home Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386 to be connected with volunteers from local relief organizations and community groups that may be able to assist with cutting fallen trees, removing drywall, flooring and appliances, tarping roofs and mitigating mold. The hotline will remain open through Sept. 17.