Tropical Storm Ida Information Hub

Tropical Storm Ida Information Hub


FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)in Cranford

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has been established at the Cranford Community Center (220 Walnut Street, Cranford), and will operate through Friday, November 12, 2021.

The hours of the FEMA DRC in Cranford are:

Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

Or call 800-621-3362


DRCs are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. 

DRCs are set up in convenient areas after a disaster in or near affected communities, in an area that offers equal access and resources to everyone.

You may also use the DRC Locator at FEMA.gov/DRC to find the hours, services, and locations of other DRCs near you.

A DRC may help you:

•    Apply for assistance. 

•    Learn more about disaster assistance programs.

•    Check the status of your FEMA application.

•    Understand any letters you get from FEMA.

•    Find housing and rental assistance information.

•    Get answers to questions or resolve problems.

•    Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.

•    Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs for individuals & businesses

•    Meet with a Small Business Administration (SBA) agent

You may also apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or apply/check your status by phone at 1-800-621-3362.

Individuals impacted by the remnants of Hurricane IDA in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.



WESTFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY COMMITTTEE (WIRC)

Committee Purpose & Deliverables

Following the local impact of Tropical Storm Ida, Mayor Brindle announced the formation of The Westfield Infrastructure Resiliency Committee (WIRC), which will be tasked with assessing the Town-wide stormwater infrastructure and its capacity to handle severe weather events, as well as ensuring that climate resiliency is a major consideration in all infrastructure decisions going forward. 

The WIRC will be tasked with establishing their overall mission, scope, and deliverables that will inform the hiring of an outside engineering firm to guide the process. WIRC's main objective will include, but not be limited to, making short and long-term recommendations for how best to fortify our stormwater infrastructure, taking into consideration engineering, current zoning/construction practices, future development, with input from public works and finance.

This committee will be co-chaired by Ward 1 Councilwoman & Town Council Finance Committee Chair Linda Habgood and Ward 3 Councilman & Town Council Public Works Committee Chair David Contract, and will also include:

  • Jim Gildea, Town Administrator
  • Greg O’Neil, Director of Public Works
  • Don Sammet, Town Planner
  • Dave Battaglia, Town Engineer
  • Frank Vuoso, Construction Official

Resident Appointees

At the October 12, 2021 Town Council meeting, Mayor Brindle appointed eight resident representatives -- two from each ward -- whose perspectives will be extremely valuable to the WIRC as they undertake this effort to assess our current Town-wide stormwater infrastructure and make short and long-term recommendations for how best to fortify it. 

Ward 1: David McAlister and Brad Noack

Ward 2: Steve Dombroski and Rich Ellsworth

Ward 3: Robin Browning and Susan Dinan

Ward 4: Adam Marsh and Georgia Marino

It's also anticipated that these resident volunteers will serve as critical liaisons to neighborhoods with historical flooding issues so that the committee has a direct line of dialogue to those most affected. The work of this committee will be no small task, and one that is imperative as the frequency of severe weather events continues to increase. Thanks to these residents for their volunteerism and willingness to assist us with this undertaking.