News Videos

Text Version:

ATLANTIC COUNTY - Temporary disaster recovery centers are now being opened throughout the state to help the thousands of individuals affected by recent flooding. One opened right here in South Jersey.

"The water was getting deeper everyday. It was coming up from the ground," Said Mays Landing resident Betty Grieco. After spending nearly $15,000 to fix her flooded basement Betty Grieco is trying to figure out what to do next.

"We had two pumps running in there and I kept (using) the squeegee thing myself, pushing it to the pumps. It was just getting to be out of hand so that's why I had to call these people," Grieco said.

Today, she traveled to Atlantic County's new temporary disaster relief center at Belcoville Firehouse to see if she can get back what was lost in the flood.

"Anything from personal property to help repairing your home. FEMA cannot make you whole again but we can help you," said FEMA Public Information Officer Charles Powell.

In an effort to start the recovery process, federal funding has been made available to residents and business owners through out 12 New Jersey counties affected by recent flooding. At centers like the one Weymouth Township residents can find out what type of support they can receive.

"People may be eligible for their losses or at least to have the federal government, the state and the local community to come in and to help them recover. Individuals have never experienced anything like this before," said Powell.

Even small businesses can receive federal aid. So far FEMA has approved nearly $2 million in disaster relief to about 3,000 New Jersey residents. Federal workers urge anyone with any questions to register for relief and stop by recovery centers.

"We're going to be here for a few days depending on how much traffic we get. The traffic is going to drive our schedule and people can come in and discuss their individual cases," said Powell.

FEMA representatives say another center will open in Cape May County early next week. To register for disaster relief you can call 1800621 FEMA or register online through a link set up on our "links" web page.