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NJ 2-1-1 HURRICANE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
This page and those linked to it, are a summation of the relief and recovery resources that are available to people in New Jersey who have been hit hardest by Hurricane Irene and the tropical storm that followed.
FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED REVIEW OF LOCAL INFORMATION PLEASE READ THE NJ 2-1-1 HURRICANE RELIEF AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GUIDE.
Find information there about county and municipal resources. This local information changes frequently and the information included in this section of our guide reflects what is available now in local communities as agencies respond to residents' immediate needs.
For more information, dial 2-1-1 from any phone 24/7, 365 days a year. A call specialist who knows community resources will speak with you and direct you to the services that are available to help you in your time of need. If you have trouble connecting, call 877-652-1148.
New Jersey MentalHealthCares' Disaster Mental Health Helpline (877) 294-HELP (4357) |
Local Resources for Information and Assistance
Call 2-1-1
If you have a need and you don't know where to turn, dial 2-1-1 and we will do our best to find the community resource that will help. NJ 2-1-1 is keeping track of all of the needs expressed by callers and we are in contact with agencies and services in all of the affected areas. If we can't find resources to direct you to when you call, we will do our best to find an answer and call you back.
Statewide Resources
American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides immediate emergency assistance to people affected by disaster, such as; shelter, food and water, health and mental health services to address basic human needs. The goal of Red Cross disaster relief is to enable individuals and families to resume their normal daily activities independently. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources. Find your local Red Cross Chapter.
Emergency Shelter
In the initial stage of recovery the American Red Cross had opened emergency shelters throughout distressed areas in our state. These shelters have now been closed and the focus has shifted to finding housing for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.
If you are in need of assistance in finding housing, you can call:
- your county Welfare Office
- your county Social Service for the Homeless Hotline
You may be eligible for assistance through the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP). This program provides temporary assistance to households who are facing eviction or foreclosure because of conditions that have left them incapable of making payments. Natural disasters fall into this category but must be documented by the Red Cross or a letter from FEMA. This aid is temporary and is based upon income eligibility. Learn more about HPP. To see if you qualify call Mercedes Caesar at 609-441-3334 or Roseanne Macchiarelli at 732-255-0834.
NJ Housing Resource Center (NJHRC) is an online, housing information clearinghouse designed to help all New Jerseyans with their housing-related needs. Searches on the database can be narrowed to limit your results to include a specific type of housing unit and the site includes maps and pictures and is updated bi-weekly to give an accurate reflection of housing availability in our state. Visit the NJHRC website. Learn about other housing options on NJ 2-1-1 housing-related web pages.
Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans
The Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program provides permanent housing and ongoing case management treatment services for homeless Veterans who require these supports to live independently. This program allows Veterans and their families to live in Veteran-selected apartment units and provides for the most vulnerable Veterans. It is especially helpful to Veterans with families, women Veterans, recently returning Veterans and Veterans with disabilities. Learn more about HUD-VASH.
Emergency Food
Food pantries and soup kitchens can be found in every county in our state. You can also locate an established food resource in your community at www.endhungernj.org. Food supplies in these locations depend upon the donations received. Whenever possible call the food pantry or soup kitchen before going to verify hours and availability.
Emotional Support
Crisis counselors will provide outreach and education services about coping with the emotional difficulties in the aftermath of emergencies such as these. Stress can surface in many forms and often appears weeks or months after a traumatic event. It may include anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity and/or increased alcohol or drug use. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress or feeling overwhelmed by painful emotions related to recent events, call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares' Disaster Helpline: 1-877-294-4357 (HELP). A TTY line is available at (877) 294-4356. Translation services are available as well.
Download a copy of Managing the Emotional Consequences of Storms and Flooding. (Available in Spanish and English)
Legal Services
Low-income New Jerseyans can get free legal help by phone calling LSNJ Law's toll-free hotline 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Outside of New Jersey, please call 732-572-9100 and ask to be transferred to the hotline. Find your local office at the LSNJ website.
In addition to these services, the New Jersey State Bar Association's Mass Disaster Response Program consists of volunteer attorneys who have agreed to provide initial pro bono guidance and assistance to victims of mass disasters. The Program can be reached at 888-541-1900.
Local Resources
Shelter, Food, Clothing and More (by locale)
THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION RIGHT NOW CAN BE FOUND IN THE NJ 2-1-1 HURRICANE RELIEF AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE GUIDE. Find information there about county and municipal resources, as well as topics covered on these web pages including: FEMA declaration and how to apply, clean-up precautions, how-to instructions and more.
Applications for D-SNAP benefits in New Jersey are now closed in all counties.
Disaster Assessment
The Red Cross Disaster Assessment and FEMA teams have been working in the areas where storm waters have receded to identify damage and the needs of the community.
Clean-Up Resources
Stations have been distributing clean-up kits. Most of the stations are mobile and the locations change frequently to assist people in flood stricken areas. For clean-up tips go to the pages devoted to clean-up, mold removal and repairs on our website. There you will find guidance and other sources of information.
If you are physically challenged and are not capable of cleaning up flood related damage, help is available. NJ 2-1-1 was one of many organizations involved in assisting people who are unable to manage clean-up efforts independently but is no longer managing the coordination of this effort. Those still in need are being asked to contact World Cares at 800-903-1417 or by e-mail at njcleanup@worldcares.org.
Your Rights as a Renter
Rent Abatement and Security Deposits
If you are a tenant and you have been displaced by fire or flood as a result of the storm, you may be entitled to return of part of the rent you paid for the time you were not able to occupy your home. You also may not have to pay your rent for upcoming months after that if you are not able to go back into your apartment. Finally, if you are able to return to your apartment, but it is not completely habitable, you may not have to pay all the rent. Learn more. (en Español)
Your displacement due to this natural disaster, may also entitle you to have your security deposit returned quickly. A landlord must return your security deposit within five business days if:
- The displacement is cause by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation; and
- An authorized public official posts the premises with a notice prohibiting occupancy, or
- A building inspector has certified within 48 hours that displacement is expected to continue longer than seven days and has so notified the owner in writing.
Learn more. (en Español)
Safety Precautions
Make Sure Your Drinking Water is Safe
Power outages have occurred in many municipalities as a result of storm waters. Public Water Utilities in these areas are recommending specific safety precautions be taken to be sure that the water is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. To find out what is recommended in your area, contact your local municipality or call your water company.
If you get your water from a private well, flush the well until the water is clear and free of sediment. To do this, attach a hose to an outside spigot and turn the water on. After the water is clear, then test the well for coliform bacteria. Do not drink the water until it has been tested if your well was under floodwater or if the water was dirty or cloudy when you turned it on.
Use bottled or boiled water until the testing can be done. To properly boil water, bring water to a rolling boil and hold it there for one minute. Let it cool and use as needed for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing hands and for your pets.
Call your local health department for information on disinfecting private wells.
Help Someone in Need
To ensure the charity or fund-raiser soliciting you is registered, please visit the Division of Consumer Affairs website
or contact the Charities Registration Unit at 973-504-6215.
Volunteer Your Services
Agencies looking for volunteers may register their needs, and volunteers willing to assist in relief efforts, may search for opportunities at VolunteerNewJersey.org. This statewide database is maintained by The Association of New Jersey Volunteer Centers and the Governor's Office of Volunteerism. You may also call your local food bank or Red Cross Chapter to learn of other volunteer opportunities.
Supplies and Monetary Donations
- Local food pantries are always in need of food. Find a pantry near you.
- First Responder organizations: The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army
- NJ 2-1-1 as well as all of the organization listed in the local resources section of our Hurricane Relief and Recovery Guide are directing all of their staff efforts to assisting people in need throughout this disaster and throughout the year. All of these organizations are non-profit and could always use your support. Please donate to the organization of your choice if you can.
No clothing donations are being requested at this time. Before beginning any sort of collection drive, it is important to first call a charitable agency and confirm that there is a need for the donation and that they are able to accept it.
Blood Needed
Hurricane Irene's devastating effects are hitting New Jersey's blood banks and hospitals hard. Numerous blood drives had to be cancelled statewide. People who want to schedule an appointment to donate blood or locate a blood drive can find a location near them by calling 1-800-Red Cross or visiting www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation. Platelet donors are especially important for cancer patients. Platelet donors should call 1-215-451-4153 to make an appointment.
The New Jersey Workforce Coalition is asking all blood and platelet donors to contact your regional blood centers to see if you can schedule yourself to donate, or to start a life saving blood drive. Locate your regional blood center for more information on how you can help during this critical time.
Need Help? – Dial 2-1-1
You are encouraged to dial “2-1-1” 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help in understanding and finding available assistance services. Language translation and TTY services are offered to any caller. You can also search our database for services in your local community or Chat Live with an experienced community resource specialist. 2-1-1 will help identify with you the best local resources to fit your individual needs during times of distress or for life’s everyday situations.
If you know of additional resources that would be appropriate to include in this section, please let us know by contacting us via e-mail at info@nj211.org.
Informational sources used to compile the information noted on this page include:
http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_nj.nsf
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp#NJ
http://www.endhungernj.org/
http://www.nj211.org/images/Flood/Somerset%20County%20Get%20Help%20Flood%20Flyer%202010.pdf
http://www.nj211.org/images/Flood/Northeast%20NJ%20Legal%20Services%20Brochhure.pdf
http://www.nj211.org/images/Flood/ST%20rent%20abatement%202010.pdf
http://www.nj211.org/images/Flood/ST%20security%202010.pdf
http://littlefallsflood.com/
http://www.waynetownship.com/hs-floodbull.htm
Legal Services of NJ
Page last modified on 10.20.11
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