>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M BRIANNA VANOZZI.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WAS BRIEFED ON THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO PEOPLE, PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FROM HURRICANE IDA PICKETT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 27 NEW JERSEY RESIDENT.

FOUR REMAIN MISSING.

MAJORITY DROWNED WHO WERE TRAPPED IN CARS AND SUBMERGED IN FLOODED ROADWAYS.

THE PRESIDENT MET WITH FAMILIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO RECOUNTED THE HARROWING EVENTS OF THE STORM.

DEBRIS PILED HIGH ALONG STREET CURVES.

AND REMNANTS OF THE HISTORIC FLOODING.

THE BOROUGH IS NO STRANGER TO THE TRAUMA.

AFTER TAKING A BEATING FROM HURRICANE FLOYD.

RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS THERE WERE ALL-TOO-FAMILIAR PLEADED WITH THE PRESIDENT FOR HELP.

>> THE LOSS WE HAVE WITNESSED OUR PROFOUND.

HOMES DESTROYED AND ALSO GAS LEAKS THAT WERE TRIGGERED BY FLOODING.

DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING THE RAIL SYSTEM.

MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL THE AFFECTED FAMILIES AND THE FAMILIES WHO LOST SOMEBODY THEY LOVE.

>> THE PRESIDENT IS PLEDGING HIS COMMITMENT AND THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

AS HE TOUTED HIS BILL BACK BETTER AGENDA.

CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING.

THAT WOULD SET UP RESILIENCY AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE PRESIDENT POINTS TO EXTREME WEATHER AND SAYS HE HOPES TO FIX WEAK AREAS WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

>> YOU CANNOT RESTORE WHAT IT WAS BEFORE.

ANOTHER TORNADO AND ANOTHER 10 INCHES OF RAIN WILL PRODUCE THE SAME RESULTS.

WE ARE AND ONE OF THOSE POINTS WHERE WE ACT OR WE WILL BE IN REAL TROUBLE.

OUR KIDS WILL BE IN REAL TROUBLE.

>>> MULTIPLE CONGRESS MEMBERS HAVE THE EAR OF THE PRESIDENT TODAY AND STRESSED THE NEED TO INCLUDE MORE COUNTIES ON THAT FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION LIST.

RESIDENTS AND SIX COUNTIES CAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL HELP.

THAT LEFT A LOCAL LEADERS AND HOMEOWNERS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES WITH EQUAL DESTRUCTION SHUT OUT.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THAT THEY ARE AMENABLE TO EXPANDING THAT LIST AND BRINGING THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY WHAT THEY NEED TO RECOVER.

HERE'S MORE ON THAT STORY FROM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> Reporter: FEMA INSPECTORS WALK THROUGH YARDS AND MILBURN LOOKING FOR DIRTY WATER LINES.

ESSEX COUNTY DID NOT MAKE THE DECLARATION.

>> I HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND THE DECLARATION.

NOBODY IS ANSWERING AND IT IS A REALLY HARD.

SO MUCH HELP IS NEAR.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR.

>> WE LOST THREE OUT OF FOUR FLOORS.

WE DON'T HAVE A FLOOD INSURANCE.

>> THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE STORM.

>> Reporter: FEMA LISTED SIX NEW JERSEY COUNTIES THAT REQUESTED EMERGENCY RELIEF.

NEW JERSEY WANTS TO ADD FOUR MORE COUNTIES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY MADE THE CASE TODAY DURING A BRIEFING WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FEMA OFFICIALS.

>> FEMA IS ON THE GROUND TODAY AND WE HOPE THAT MORE COUNTIES WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION LIST.

THIS IMPACTED RESIDENCE, SMALL BUSINESSES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE KNOW THIS WILL BE A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT RELIEF IS EQUITABLE.

WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT MORE TO DO.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE.

>> Reporter: TO NOT BE DECLARED A FEDERAL DISASTER AREAS COUNTERINTUITIVE.

THE HOBOKEN MAYOR ANOTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR DISMAY BUT THESE ARE ONGOING EFFORTS.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL BE ON THE DISASTER LIST.

>> I HOPE IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT AND WE CAN STRAIGHTEN IT OUT.

THEY WILL DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.

>> Reporter: MORRIS COUNTY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION LIST.

THAT WILL UNLOCK FEDERAL AID FOR PRIVATE HOMEOWNERS, SMALL BUSINESSES, MONEY THAT THEY CAN USE FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING, CLEANUP AND REPAIR.

DAMAGE ASSESSORS CHECKED OUT INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE BRIDGES IN NEIGHBORHOODS THEY DON'T LOOK INSIDE HOMES AND ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

THEY CHECK TO SEE HOW MUCH WATER INVADED EACH HOME.

MORE THAN A FOOT AND A HALF IS CONSIDERED A DISASTER.

>> OUR LIVES COMPLETELY CHANGE.

AND THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A DISASTER OR AT HOME.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO REPORT THEIR DAMAGE ONLINE.

>> INDICATED THAT THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT OTHER COUNTIES WILL BE ADDED.

>> THAT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NEW JERSEY SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> CLEANUP CONTINUES IN COUNTIES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION LIST.

VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND HELPING TO SALVAGE WHAT WAS LEFT.

>> Reporter: CREWS ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO REMOVE TREES AND CLEAR PATHWAYS TO HELP THIS COMMUNITY RECOVER FROM THE TORNADO THAT RIPPED THROUGH HERE SIX DAYS AGO.

>> YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE STREET WHEN YOU DO YOU HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING BACK END.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER SAID THAT THE DAMAGE IS BEYOND REPAIR.

WE HAD WATER IN THE BASEMENT AND DAMAGE TO THE ROOF AND THE GARAGE.

>> Reporter: SHE CAME TO THE FEMA SITE AND HOPE OF APPLYING FOR FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S QUICK ACTION WE CAN PROVIDE AID TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF MEMBERS FROM THAT COMMITTEE ARE ALSO PITCHING IN.

>> I GREW UP AND WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

IT DEVASTATING FOR A LOT OF THE RESIDENCE.

AND BEING A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE I WANTED TO GIVE BACK IN ANY WAY I CAN.

>> Reporter: A MISSIONARY AT MT.

CALVARY BAPTIST IS HERE GATHERING INFORMATION FOR THREE FAMILIES THAT SHE IS TRYING TO HELP.

INCLUDING ASHLEY THOMAS.

THE PREGNANT MOTHER THAT WE MET JUST HOURS AFTER HER HOME WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

MAC SHE'S DOING GOOD.

SHE HAS A GOOD SPIRIT.

IT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD.

>> Reporter: WE'VE BEEN WATCHING RESIDENCE, AND REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

MANY SAY THAT THEY HAVE LOST A LOT.

BUT THAT THEY ARE THANKFUL THAT NOBODY WAS SERIOUSLY HURT.

>> OUR CHICKENS ARE FREE RANGE BUT EVERYBODY MADE IT THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THE RED CROSS IS ASSISTING FAMILIES.

SETTING UP CLEANUP KITS AND MOBILE SITES AROUND THE STATE.

>> IT'S A VERY HARD TIME FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WERE AFFECTED.

ALL OF THEIR POSSESSIONS HAVE BECOME RUINED.

THEY HAD TO TAKE EVERYTHING OUT AND START FROM SCRATCH.

IT'S A VERY HARD THING TO BE PART OF.

WE TRY TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

>>> RESIDENTS WHO NEED HELP CAN REGISTER AT THE WEBSITE LISTED ONLINE.

>> THE PROPERTY MAY BE IN ACCEPTABLE.

WE WANT TO BE PROMPT AND GET THE PEOPLE THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: FEMA IS OPENING A DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 18 MONTHS MANY CHILDREN WERE HEADED BACK TO CLASSROOMS IN NEW JERSEY.

AFTER AN UNPRECEDENTED MIX OF VIRTUAL AND HYBRID LEARNING.

EVEN DISTRICTS COMPARED TO COMBAT THE LINGERING EFFECTS COULD NOT PREDICT THE DEVASTATING DAMAGE FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA.

MORE DISTRICTS ARE DELAYING THE START DATE BY WEEKS AND EVEN MONTHS.

THE SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD DISTRICT WILL TENTATIVELY REOPEN AT NEXT MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13.

AND AS THEY CLEAN UP THE WRECKAGE OTHERS IN TOMS RIVER ARE REASSESSING MASK MANDATES.

ALLOWING FOR OPTIONAL USE BECAUSE OF EXPECTED HOT WEATHER.

FURTHER SOUTH IN CAMDEN, TEACHERS WELCOME BACK STUDENTS AND PERSON.

A GREETING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SINCE MARCH 2020.

>> Reporter: LIKE ANY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL THERE WAS A MIX OF JITTERS, EXCITEMENT, AND ANTICIPATION.

>> WHAT MAKES THIS EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT IS THIS THE FIRST TIME THAT CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BACK TOGETHER TO LEARN AND PERSON AFTER 18 MONTHS.

11th GRADER MICHAELA SAID SHE'S EXCITED TO LEARN AT THE NEW $133 MILLION CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.

HER GRANDMOTHER CAME TO DROP HER OFF AND WISH HER A GOOD START.

BUT HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING GOES WELL AND WE CAN BRING THE COMMUNITY BACK TOGETHER.

>> WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD IN THE PAST.

AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO MEAN GOOD THINGS.

IN 20 YEARS THEY'LL COME BACK AND SAY WE WERE THE FIRST TO OPEN THE SCHOOL.

TRIP THE PANDEMIC IS STILL A REALITY AND GET TO THIS MOMENT TOOK A LOT OF PLANNING.

>> HEALTH AND SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.

WE ARE ENSURING THAT ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE TRAINED.

SCENE THAT MEANS MASK REQUIREMENTS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IN CLASSROOMS AND IN THE CAFETERIA.

FREQUENT HAND SANITIZING AND THEY CONTINUE TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT GETTING STUDENTS UNVACCINATED.

TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO GET THE VACCINE OR WEEKLY TESTING.

80% OF STAFF MEMBERS ARE ALREADY VACCINATED.

AND WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS SHARED THE EXPECTATIONS FOR STAFF MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO VACCINE MANDATE FOR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: IT'S IMPORTANT TO PUT THE MESSAGE OUT THAT THAT'S THE BEST PRECAUTION IN DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC IN THE VIRUS.

I AM PROUD OF OUR TEENAGERS WHO'VE BEEN COMING OUT AND BEING LEADERS AND STEPPING UP AND GETTING THEIR VACCINE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP WISHING.

>> Reporter: OTHER STRATEGIES TO AVOID ANOTHER SHUTDOWN IS TESTING A SAMPLING OF THE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHETHER OR NOT COVID HAS ENTERED OUR BUILDING.

THAT WILL BE DONE WITH PARENT CONSENT.

>> I'M PRAYING FOR A POSITIVE YEAR WHERE WE CAN PUSH THROUGH THIS ENTIRE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE CATCHING UP TO DO AFTER THAT MUCH TIME IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME SLIPPAGE.

AND WE ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON OUR EFFORTS.

A ROBUST BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.

MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS IN CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP THAT LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY GAPS.

THIS IS YOUR YEAR, AND THE YEAR THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SHOW THE WORLD JUST HOW POWERFUL CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE.

>>> IT'S UNCLEAR IF TROPICAL STORM IDA HAD ANY HAND IN THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES.

268 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND EIGHT MORE DEATHS WERE REPORTED.

THAT'S FAR LOWER THAN THE DAILY AVERAGE OF 1700.

SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THAT THE DELAY IS EXPECTED TO BE RESOLVED TOMORROW AND THAT WILL RESOLVE IN A SPIKE OF THE NUMBER OF REPORTED PCR TESTS.

THE NUMBER IS HOVERING AT $5.6 MILLION.

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THAT THE HIGH VACCINATION RATE HAS STAVED OFF CASELOAD SURGES LIKE WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

THE DEAN OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH.

SAID THAT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR MAY CHANGE THAT.

SINCE THE START OF THE NUMBER WE'VE SEEN CASELOADS OF COVID SERGE.

MAYBE WE'VE HIT A PLATEAU IN NEW JERSEY.

DOES THAT JIVE WITH WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND IS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND CURRENTLY?

>> WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE UPRISING IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE NOT WELL VACCINATED.

IN NEW JERSEY WHICH IS BETTER IN TERMS OF VACCINATIONS WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT SPIKE.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE WILL NOT SEE THAT IN SEPTEMBER?

I THINK WE WILL.

100% OF THE POPULATION IS NOT VACCINATED.

I DO NOT THINK WE WILL SEE THE HUGE SPIKE THAT WE SAW IN ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, AND FLORIDA.

WE WILL DEFINITELY SEE A BLIP WHICH WILL BE CATALYZED BY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT.

THERE ARE REPORTS OUT TODAY THAT CASELOADS ARE THREE TIMES WHERE WE WERE LAST LABOR DAY.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE HAVE VACCINATIONS NOW >> UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WITH SCHOOL, WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WORKING IN THOSE BUILDINGS THAT ARE NOT VACCINATED.

AND WE HAVE CASE AFTER CASE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES OF CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING INFECTED BY UNVACCINATED TEACHERS.

THE DELTA VARIANT DOES NOT SEEM TO CREATE A DEATH IN CHILDREN.

AND THAT IS A BLESSING.

IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT DOES.

>> I THINK THAT THERE IS A SENSE OF FALSE HOPE THAT THE DELTA VARIANT WILL MAKE IT SWAY THROUGH THE POPULATION AND WE WILL MAX OUT.

IS THAT REALISTIC?

SCENE THE PROBABILITY MODELS ARGUE THAT IT SOME POINT IT WILL CONTINUE TO INFECT.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE TO INFECT.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

THAT ARE UNVACCINATED WHO CAN GET INFECTED BUT NOT SICK.

AS THE NUMBER OF VACCINATED PEOPLE INCREASES THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT DECREASES.

IT CAN STILL MAKE INROADS BUT NOT AT THE RATE THAT IT MADE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST MONTH.

IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A GAME LIKE "SPACE INVADERS" WITH THE LITTLE ROCKETS SHOOTING THERE'S A LIST OF THINGS TO SHOOT.

IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER >> IT'S GREAT TO TALK WITH YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> IN TALIBAN NEWS.

USED GUNFIRE TO DISPERSE LARGE PROTEST IN AFGHANISTAN THE BY THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO REPAIR.

HERE'S MORE ON THAT STORY FROM MICHAEL ARON.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR CODY HAS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WOUNDED HIMSELF WITH THE COLLAPSE OF AFGHANISTAN?

>> I WOULD NOT USE THAT WORD.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS THAT THE INTELLIGENCE PEOPLE WERE NOT TO INTELLIGENT AND THEY BLEW IT.

AND TO THOSE FAMILIES THAT IS A DEVASTATING, WITHOUT QUESTION.

AS WE ALL KNOW IT WAS FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WHO SAID WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE BUT THAT THE EVACUATION PLAN DID NOT WORK.

BECAUSE THEY WERE OFF Q.

>> REPUBLICANS SAY THAT IT WAS A SIGN OF INCOMPETENCE?

SCENE THIS WILL HURT THEM.

THEY'VE GOT THREE YEARS TO GET BACK TO WHERE HE WAS.

I THINK HE'S BEEN DOING A RELATIVELY GOOD JOB.

>> WE GO BACK TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CLIMATE.

THERE ARE THREE REASONS WHY GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL BE RE- ELECTED.

THE FIRST IS THE PANDEMIC, THE SECOND IS THE PANDEMIC, AND THE THIRD IS THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CAME ALONG AS A STEADY PERSON, NOT A BULLY.

NOT SOMEONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING.

AND PEOPLE APPRECIATED THAT.

I THINK YOU DID A VERY GOOD JOB WITH THE PANDEMIC I THINK THE ASSEMBLY MAN HAS A LONG CLIMB.

HE'S A GOOD CANDIDATE AND A GOOD PERSON.

>> IT WAS A DEEP CLIMB.

SMACKING THIS PAST WEEK HE HAS TRIED TO LINK PHIL MURPHY TO THE SIX SCANDAL THAT TOOK OVER THE STATE HOUSE A YEAR AGO.

>> THE ALLEGED ASSAULT ON KATIE BRENNAN.

>> I THINK IT IS INCREDIBLY UNFAIR TO ATTACK HIM WITH THAT.

IN TERMS OF RESPECTING WOMEN AND THEIR RIGHTS.

HE IS DARN GOOD AT THAT.

I THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS REALLY A LOW BLOW AND THAT WILL NOT WIN ANY POINTS WITH REPUBLICANS OR THE PUBLIC AS WELL.

>> THEY SAY THAT MURPHY IS OUT OF TOUCH IN JUST A RICH GUY.

>> THERE RIGHT ON HIM BEING RICH .

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

THEY ARE CORRECT.

HE MADE MONEY IN LIFE AND GOD BLESSED.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT WHAT WHOEVER.

TO SAY HE IS OUT OF TOUCH, HE LIVES A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE THEN YOU AND I AND MOST AMERICANS.

THAT SHOULDN'T QUALIFY HIM AS A BAD GUY.

>> STATE SENATOR CODY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US.

>> MEANWHILE THE MAYOR OF HOBOKEN AND JERSEY CITY ARE SET UP AFTER BOTH TOWNS SPENT FOUR DAYS AFTER HAVING A BOIL ADVISORY.

AND THEY PLAN TO HOLD SUEZ OF WATER ACCOUNTABLE.

THE ADVISORY WENT INTO EFFECT 24 HOURS AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT.

DAMAGING THE AQUEDUCT THAT PROVIDES WATER TO THE TWO CITIES.

THE DELAYED REPAIRS WERE NOT THE ONLY FRUSTRATION.

THE HOBOKEN MAYOR WANTS AN APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION.

A SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT THE MAYOR MET WITH OFFICIALS REQUESTING A CREDIT FOR RATEPAYERS AND THE DETAILED COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR FUTURE ISSUES.

>>> HEARS HOW STOCKS FARED AT THE START OF TRADING ON WALL STREET.

>>> A REMINDER BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT.

IF YOU NEED HELP YOU CAN GO TO NJ.GOV OR RED CROSS.ORG.

WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR WEBSITE ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE TOMORROW.