N.J.’s ‘most abysmal’ disaster recovery program has left Ida victims in limbo for years

By Julia A Morales-Abbud

It’s been four years since the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused catastrophic flash flooding in New Jersey.

In the time that has passed, help for flood survivors has either come too late, or not at all. I would know — I’m one of them.

Usually, after floods like the one Ida brought upon our communities, the best option is to elevate homes out of the way of potential future flooding.

A lot of flood survivors have elevated their homes, but I have not. Neither have many people who come from similar working class families as mine.

Why? Because of a slow-motion tragedy unfolding in one flooded community – a tragedy that Gov. Phil Murphy could stop with the stroke of a pen.

The tragedy begins in Ida’s immediate aftermath. In a move that local disaster recovery expert