Three Weeks Left to Register for Hurricane Assistance in New Jersey
The deadline for registering for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is Oct. 31, 2011.

Families, individuals and businesses in New Jersey that suffered damage from Hurricane Irene have about three weeks remaining to register for federal assistance.

The deadline for registering for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is Oct. 31, 2011.

The deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is also Oct. 31. SBA loan applications are a key part of the FEMA registration process. If you are a homeowner or renter and SBA determines you cannot afford a loan, you may be referred for other possible assistance. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov or 800-659-2955.

The standard flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program have a 60-day period to file proof of loss. That deadline is Oct. 31.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $123 million in assistance to disaster survivors, while the SBA has approved nearly $29 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations.

Once the 10/31/11 deadline has passed, it's over.

If individuals have already registered and are now seeing mold issues, they should call FEMA and update their claim. 1.800.621.FEMA.

There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema .

HURRICANE IRENE NOTICES

The Federal Government has set up a website that allows people to apply online for assistance: http://www.disasterassistance.gov

URGENT NEED FOR BLOOD AND PLATELETS
The State of New Jersey has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations Due to the Hurricane and the upcoming Holiday Weekend, blood supply is at critical levels.

A number of previously scheduled blood drives were cancelled due to Irene, and the need for blood has increased significantly in area hospitals. Compounding the problem, August is typically a slow month for donations. In the wake of the storm, and in anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day Weekend, the need for blood donations has never been greater.

In addition to seeking donors, the State is seeking sponsors to organize and host a blood drive. All blood types are needed, particularly RH Negatives and platelets. You can find your regional blood enter, and access information, both on organizing a drive and on donating, at www.nj.gov/health/njsave3lives.

You can also contact Anthony R. DeLuccio, Public Relations, Community Blood Council of NJ, Inc., at 609-8883-9750 Ext. 125, adeluccio@communitybloodcouncil.org. If you have any questions, contact Jon Moran at 609-695-3481, ext. 121 or jmoran@njslom.com.

FREE STORAGE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRENE
Fort Knox Self Storage in Montague is accepting flood victims' belongings in their storage facility. They are offering two months' free storage to anyone who needs to clean up, dry out and put their belongings in a safe place.

WIRE THEFT
Jersey Central Power & Light warns that individuals attempting to steal downed wires for copper are jeopardizing their own safety and that of the public, as well as hampering the storm restoration process. We urge residents to be on the lookout for wire theft in their communities. Police are requested to call our Communications Center at 732-212-4305 with any information about wire thefts.

BEWARE
Jersey Central Power & Light tree contractors never ask customers for money to clear downed trees and branches as part of their storm restoration process. There are reports of individuals posing as JCP&L contractors to remove trees, pocketing money, and leaving. We ask you to remain vigilant and refuse to pay anyone who claims to be clearing trees on their behalf.

TIPS FOR THOSE WITHOUT POWER
To ensure safety, customers should contact their electric company or their local police or fire department to report any downed power lines, and are cautioned to never touch downed lines, because they may still be carrying electricity. Customers should never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines. Other tips for customers without power:

• Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report your outage.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. A full freezer can keep food frozen for up to three days if it's kept closed.
• Unplug major appliances until after the power has been restored. Keep one light connected so you will know when the power is back on.
• Burning candles should never be left unattended.
• Gasoline-powered generators should never be run inside a home or attached garage.

FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON HURRICANE RESTORATION NEWS, CURRENT OUTAGES, FIRSTENERGY'S STORM RESTORATION PROCESS AND TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE AFTER A STORM, GO WWW.FIRSTENERGYCORP.COM.