NJTV’s Hurricane Coverage: Special Report: Coping with Catastrophe

With many areas of New Jersey suffering devastating effects from Hurricane Sandy, residents may need to reach out to agencies for assistance. Below is a list of agencies and organizations that may be able to assist in the aftermath of the storm.

Hurricane Sandy Information Center — The State of New Jersey’s comprehensive website on Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. Includes news and updates, contact information, utility restoration plans, emergency hotlines and more.

American Red Cross, North Jersey Region — The northern New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross has shelters open for residents in need of assistance.

American Red Cross of Central New Jersey — The Princeton-based chapter of the American Red Cross may be able to provide assistance to those impacted in the central part of the state. Call 609-951-8550 to reach the organization.

American Red Cross South Jersey Region — For residents in the southern portion of the state, there are five chapters of the Red Cross available.

NJ Department of Education — Families displaced by Hurricane Sandy and who are trying to determine where their children should go to school, can call a new state hotline 609-292-2070 for personal guidance about schooling options. The state’s hotline will operate Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development -Unemployment Insurance Benefits — Special unemployment assistance for those who lost their jobs because of Hurricane Sandy has been extended to residents in all 21 counties of New Jersey. Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance is for people who are unemployed as a direct result of damages caused by the storm. A claim for federal assistance must be made within 30 days of the disaster declaration. The deadline is Dec. 3, Dec. 6 or Dec. 10, based on county of residence.

FEMA — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be assisting those in New Jersey who were greatly impacted by Hurricane Sandy. To apply for disaster assistance, New Jersey residents and business owners can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or visit m.fema.gov from a smartphone. To apply over the phone, call 800-621-3362. FEMA also offers Disaster Recovery Centers for victims of storms.

FEMA Recovery Centers in New Jersey:

Atlantic County

• Atlantic City Convention Center, Rm 201
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

• Shore Mall
  6725 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Bergen County

• One Bergen County Plaza (4th Floor)
  Hackensack
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Cape May County

• Cape May Court House Library
  30 Mechanic Street
  8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Cumberland County

• 911 Communications Center
  637 Bridgeton Ave.
  daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until further notice

Hudson County

• Hoboken Police Station (adjacent to the station)
  94 Washington St., Hoboken
  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until further notice

• Jersey City Museum
  350 Montgomery Street, Jersey City
  8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Middlesex County

• Sayreville Senior Center
  423 Main St., Sayreville
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Monmouth County

• Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
  945 Hwy. 36, Atlantic Highlands / Leonardo
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

• Memorial School
  221 Morningside Ave., Union Beach
  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until further notice

Ocean County

• Brick Township Civic Center
  270 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice

Somerset County

• Somerset County Human Services Building
  27 Warren St., Somerville,
  Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice.

Union County

• Chisholm Community Center
  100 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield
  8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Atlantic City Electric — The utility that serves customers in the southern portion of the state is offering updates with an outage map. Customers can report an outage online or call 800-833-7476. Read more storm updates from the utility and follow updates through the company’s Twitter account.

JCP&L — Jersey Central Power & Light has online form for customers to report power outages. Customers with downed power lines or other hazardous situations should call 888-544-4877 immediately. JCP&L customers can check the utility’s outage map and follow its Twitter account for updates.

PSE&G — PSE&G customers who are registered users of My Account can report a power outage online. All customers can call 800-436-PSEG (7734) to report outages. All PSE&G customers are being told power will be restored by Nov. 5, but some may have power back before then. The utility offers an outage map and updates through its website and Twitter account.

NJ Transit — NJ Transit suspended all operations during Hurricane Sandy and all bus, rail, light rail and Access Link service remained suspended Tuesday until further notice. When transportation operations resume, NJ Transit will be cross honoring all rail, bus and light rail tickets until Friday at 11:59 p.m.