>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN MARINE PROJECT BY OYSTER AND PS AG.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IT WAS ONE WEEK AGO TODAY THAT THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA BROUGHT FIERCE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND SEVERE FLOODING TO THE STATE.

FOUR PEOPLE REMAIN MISSING AFTER THE STORM THAT LEFT 27 RESIDENTS DEAD.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR HAS REQUESTED A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR THE ENTIRE STATE, ONLY SIX COUNTIES HAVE BEEN DECLARED DISASTER AREAS DESPITE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE ELSEWHERE.

FEMA HAS COMPLETED PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS IN ANOTHER EIGHT COUNTIES AND WILL NOW DECIDE WHETHER TO GRANT THEM THAT KEY MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION NEEDED FOR RESIDENTS TO UNLOCK FEDERAL FUNDS.

HOW FAR DOES THAT THEIR ASSISTANCE REALLY GO?

AND WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO MAKE VICTIMS OF THE STORM WHOLE AGAIN?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT CHECKED BACK IN WITH SOME RESIDENTS WE MET LAST WEEK FOR NAVIGATING THE LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY.

>> IT IS HARD SITTING HERE WAITING FOR HELP.

YOU KNOW?

>> JOHNNY PHILLIPS IS TIRED.

ONE WEEK AGO, I DUMPED MORE THAN EIGHT INCHES OF RAIN ON SOMERVILLE, FLOODING BASEMENTS AND FIRST FLOORS, COATING HOMES AND LAYERS OF TOXIC SLUDGE.

NOW, MOUNDS OF SPOILED FURNITURE, COMMERCE, PLANTS, AND TOYS LINE CURBS WELL RESIDENTS WAIT FOR FEMA AID.

>> WE CLEANED, WE HAVE POWER WASHED, WE HAVE SUCKED OUT ALL THE WATER, WE HAVE BLEACHED AND BLEACHED AND BLEACHED, AND THE SMELL IS STILL OVERWHELMING.

>> LIKE MANY I DO VICTIMS WHO DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THIS DISASTER, PHILLIPS DOES NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.

SHE IS NOT EVEN IN A FLOOD ZONE.

NOW, SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT HER HOME'S FOUNDATION, HER FLOORS ARE BUCKLING.

WHILE SHE FILLED OUT FEMA'S APPLICATION ONLINE ON TUESDAY, SHE IS NOT QUITE SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.

SHE IS TRYING TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> EVERYTHING IS DOCUMENTED.

WE PHOTOGRAPHED EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN DOWN, EVERY CAPTION HAS A DESCRIPTION.

YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE STARTED CLEANING INSIDE, WE PHOTOGRAPHED AFTER BEFORE AND AFTER.

>> FLOODWATERS FOULED RAYMOND'S HOUSE, DESTROYED HIS KITCHEN, FILLED HIS BASEMENT.

HIS WIFE CALLED FEMA'S HOTLINE TO APPLY FOR AID.

>> I AM STILL WAITING ON IT.

THEY ARE HOLDING ME UP HERE >> MEANWHILE, TOW TRUCKS KEPT CARRYING AWAY DROWNED CARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

DAVE'S HIS CAR WENT UNDERWATER ALSO, SO HE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A NEW ONE FOR $19,000.

THOUGH, HE DOUBTS FEMALE FEMA WILL HELP PAY FOR THAT.

>> I GOT A CAR.

GOOD LUCK.

I BOUGHT ONE.

THEY ARE TOO SLOW.

>> FLED THE DEMS WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL FEMA PAY FOR, HOW CAN THEY BE SURE TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT EVERYTHING?

AND HOW LONG ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR MONEY?

>> DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GIVE YOU HELP?

>> I THINK SO.

I HOPE SO.

>> MARIEL DROVE TO FEMA'S POP- UP OFFICE HERE IN SOMERVILLE OFF-CAMERA.

ONE STAFFER TOLD US THEY HAD HELPED ABOUT 50 PEOPLE FILE APPLICATION YESTERDAY.

IT IS A COLLOCATED PROCESS.

>> I WANTED TO FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE FIRST AND ONCE YOU DO THAT, IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MAY NEED SOME ADDITIONAL INSURANCE OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, GO AHEAD AND BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS WITH US.

>> THE SPOKESWOMAN SAYS IT CAN TOP OUT AT A BIT OVER $30,000 BUT AVERAGE ABOUT 5000 AND DEPEND ON SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING YOUR INCOME.

SHE ADVISES FLOOD SURVIVORS TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU START CLEANING AND WARNS THAT MISTAKES AND APPLICATIONS COULD DELAY AID CHECKS.

>> FEMA IS A PIECE OF A PUZZLE IN THIS RECOVERY PROCESS.

WE ARE SADLY NOT THE ENTIRE PIECE.

WE CAN'T MAKE YOU WHOLE.

OFTENTIMES, THAT IS THE CASE.

WE ARE FOCUSED ONLY ON YOUR SHORT-TERM RECOVERY.

GETTING THAT ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON TO RECOVERY.

>> OUR DISASTER RECOVERY SYSTEMS ARE OUTDATED.

THEY'RE UNFAIR.

THEY'RE NOT MADE TO RESPOND TO THIS SORT OF BIG STORM AFTER BIG STORM CRISIS WE ARE SEEING BECAUSE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> VETERANS OF SUPER STORM SANDY'S FLOOD DAMAGE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT LAUNCHED THE NEW JERSEY ORGANIZING PROJECT IT OFFERS CRITICAL ADVICE LIKE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER FLOODING, THOUGH, IT COULD COVER DAMAGE FROM SUMP PUMP FAILURES.

THE GROUP SAYS FLOOD SURVIVORS MUST MOVE QUICKLY TO CONNECT WITH GRANTS, RESOURCES, AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

>> FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE ARE GOING TO END UP DEPENDING ON SBA LOANS IMMIGRANTS, OR IF WE GET A BIG CHUNK OF FUNDING, BECAUSE THIS IS A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER, THE STATE WILL ALLOW RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

>> BUT, SHE WANTS BE CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING ON SBA LOANS AND THEN ACCEPTING OTHER AID.

IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT MAY TRY TO CLAWBACK MONEY IT BELIEVES WAS A DOUBLE DIP.

ABOVE ALL, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT FEELING OKAY, IT IS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN OKAY SITUATION.

WE REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT.

>> MEANTIME, MELISSA ROSE COOPER WENT TO SEE HOW BUSINESSES ARE DOING WITH THEIR POST-STORM RECOVERY.

SHE VISITED TWO HARD-HIT COMMUNITIES, BLUEFIELD AND MONTCLAIR, WHERE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE STILL TALLYING UP THE DAMAGE, FIGURING OUT HOW TO COVER THEIR LOSSES.

>> MORNINGS ARE TYPICALLY LIKE THIS.

CUSTOMERS ARE COMING IN FOR THE DAILY CUP OF COFFEE, GRABBING A TABLE ON THE SIDEWALK AND HAVING CONVERSATION WITH FRIENDS.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT JUST A WEEK AGO, THINGS LOOKED MORE LIKE THIS.

>> IT IS A BIT OF A DISASTER.

I THINK NOBODY WAS EXPECTING WHAT HAPPENED.

THE WORDS THAT KEEP COMING TO MIND ARE A RIVER RUNS THROUGH.

>> THE OWNER SAYS THE STORM THAT PASSED THROUGH HERE CAUSED ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION.

>> IT WAS HEART WRENCHING.

YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

THERE WAS WATER COMING INTO THE BUILDING.

WE WERE 100% CERTAIN THAT, YOU KNOW, THE BASEMENTS WERE FLOODING.

AS YOU CAN SEE, EVERYONE IS STILL CLEANING THINGS OUT.

>> IT IS A LOSS THAT IS EXTREMELY RELATABLE FOR ANTHONY, WHO OWNS ANTHONY'S CHEESECAKE AND RESTAURANT IN NEARBY BLOOMFIELD.

>> MY GUESS IS ABOUT $50,000 OF LOSS OF BUSINESS.

>> LAURA SAYS HE COULDN'T BELIEVE HIS EYES WHEN HE STARTED SEEING VIDEO OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE OUTSIDE HIS BUSINESS.

HE CAME THE VERY NEXT DAY TO SEE FOR HIMSELF.

>> WE JUST REMODELED OUR RESTAURANT IN MARCH.

FRITO-LAY COVID, WE CLOSE DOWN FOR A WHILE, WE REMODELED THE RESTAURANT AND LITERALLY EVERYTHING WE JUST DID WAS GONE.

>> BUSINESSES SAY THE WATER WAS SO HIGH IN THIS POINT FLOODING THE STREETS TO ABOUT FOUR FEET OF WATER.

AS YOU CAN SEE, DOWN HERE, THERE IS STILL EVIDENCE IN THE MUD THAT IS LEFT OVER FROM WHEN THE WATER CAME THROUGH HERE.

THE SIDEWALK, FULL OF SO MUCH TRASH THAT THESE BUSINESSES HAVE TO TAKE OUT BECAUSE OF THE STORM.

>> THE TOWNSHIP HAS BEEN ADDING RESIDENTS PICK UP DEBRIS.

THE WATER, ALSO SEVERAL FEET HIGH AND JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY OUTSIDE THE FITNESS, LUCKILY, DID MAKE ITS WAY IN AND CAUSE ANY DAMAGE.

THE OWNER SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL.?

WE DRIVE BY A BLOCK FROM WHERE I LIVE.

GOT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR ENTIRE BASEMENTS RIPPED OUT AND ON THE FRONT LAWN.

>> THE PRESIDENT DECLARED A DISASTER FOR SIX COUNTIES HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS LOCATED IN ONE OF THESE COUNTIES, YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR LOW- INTEREST DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM FOR UNINSURED PHYSICAL LOSSES.

IN ADDITION, ANY SMALL BUSINESS IN ONE OF THESE COUNTIES IS ELIGIBLE FOR OUR ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, ESSEX COUNTY IS NOT ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES THE PRESIDENT DECLARED AS A DISASTER AREA.

SO, BUSINESSES IN BLUEFIELD AND MONTCLAIR AREN'T ELIGIBLE.

BUT, THEY ARE HOPING THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOT COVERING THIS BECAUSE UNLESS YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE, IT DOESN'T COUNT.

AND WE AREN'T IN A FLOOD ZONE, AT LEAST WE HAVEN'T BEEN.

SO, WE DON'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.

SO, UNLESS FEMA HELPS US OUT, IT IS JUST A LOSS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF DESTRUCTION HERE.

WE HAVE TO REBUILD.

DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.

>> SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA.

>> UNITED STATES COVID CASES CONTINUE TO REMAIN HIGH.

THE STATE REPORTING MORE THAN 1700 NEW CASES TODAY AND ANOTHER 17 DEATHS.

NEW JERSEY'S DEATH TOLL HAS TOPPED 27,000 PEOPLE.

FOR MOST CORONAVIRUS DEATHS PER CAPITA IN THE U.S. ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 5.6 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TRYING TO INCREASE THE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION RATE SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY REQUIRING THAT ALL FEDERAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS BE VACCINATED WITHOUT THE OPTION FOR COVID TESTING AS A WAY TO AVOID IMMUNIZATION.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY 53% OF AMERICANS ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND COVID DEATHS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO RISE DUE TO THE DELTA VARIANT.

NEW JERSEY'S CHILDREN HAVE RETURNED TO SCHOOL AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS.

SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY MADE MASK WEARING OPTIONAL.

AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE MASK MANDATE IN EXTREME HEAT.

IT IS UP TO EACH DISTRICT TO DEFINE WHAT TEMPERATURE IS TOO HOT.

AS JULIANNA REPORTS, THAT IS CREATING SOME MASS CONFUSION.

>> 75 DEGREES IS REALLY LOW AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO POINT US TO EXACTLY WHERE THAT NUMBER HAS COME FROM, IF THERE ARE SIGNS THAT MASK WEARING BECOMES INHIBITIVE AT THAT TEMPERATURE.

HOW HOT IS TOO HOT?

THAT IS A QUESTION FACING SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS WEEK THAT HAVE THE OPTION UNDER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL IN TIMES OF EXTREME HEAT.

FOR SOME, LIKE NEW PROVIDENCE, 75 WAS THE NUMBER.

>> THE DISTRICT SENT OUT AN EMAIL STATING THAT DUE TO THE FORECAST, YOU KNOW, MASKS WOULD BE OPTIONAL FOR EXTREME HEAT.

THAT IS CONCERNING.

PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM HOLIDAYS.

THERE IS NO QUARANTINE IN PLACE FOR ANYONE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE STATE.

>> SOME PARENTS, INCLUDING TINA PETERSON, HAVE BEEN ANGRY ABOUT THE GOVERNORS MASK MANDATE.

SO, WHEN THE DISTRICT SENT AN EMAIL ON FRIDAY SAYING MASKS WOULD BE OPTIONAL, >> THE PARENT STARTED THE LIBERTY WEEKEND SUPER EXCITED, YOU KNOW, FELT THAT THE EMAIL WAS VERY FAIR.

>> BECAUSE SOME SCHOOLS HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AND SOME DON'T, THE DISTRICT CLARIFIED THE GUIDANCE THIS WEEK.

>> ON MONDAY, THERE WERE A FEW SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT THAT DID EITHER AN EMAIL OR A ROBO CALL STATING THAT MASKS ARE MANDATORY.

BECAUSE THERE WAS AIR- CONDITIONING IN THE BUILDING.

SO, OUT OF THE MANY ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLS THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS, MANY PARENTS WERE CONFUSED.

THEY DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO, TO SEND THEIR KID WITH, WITHOUT PEER >> THE GUIDANCE DOESN'T SPECIFY A TEMPERATURE AND SO, FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WHILE IT IS WARM OUT, HE IS LEAVING IT TO THE DISTRICTS TO DECIDE.

ALTHOUGH, HE CAUTIONS THAT >> THEY WILL PLAY GAMES WITH US.

DON'T USE THAT AS THE EXCUSE BECAUSE YOU DON'T, YOU, YOU, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT BE WEARING MASKS.

THAT, THAT, THAT IS NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM HERE.

THESE MASKS ARE MANDATED.

>> HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS SAVE MASK OPTIONS COULD BE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

>> WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT UNIVERSAL MASKING IS WHAT IS RECOMMENDED.

SO, THAT IS JUST, DESPITE VACCINATION STATUS, THERE IS NO CAVEAT FOR TEMPERATURE.

BUT, WE KNOW THAT HAVING STAFF AND STUDENTS ALL MASKED INSIDE, ESPECIALLY, IS GOING TO BE REALLY CRITICAL FOR US ENDING THIS PANDEMIC.

TEMPERATURES IN THE 80s DO NOT EXEMPT US FROM THAT.

THE CORONAVIRUS, CERTAINLY, DOESN'T FOLLOW TEMPERATURE RULES.

IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE INFECTIOUS REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURES IN THE 80s.

>> THE PERCENT POSITIVITY RATE AMONG KIDS HAS BEEN RISING OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS GOING FROM AROUND 1% AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY TO NEARLY 8% IN THE LAST WEEK.

WHILE ROUGHLY 46% OF KIDS BETWEEN 12 AND 17 ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

HOSPITALIZATION RATES ARE LOW IN THIS POPULATION.

CURRENTLY, ABOUT A DOZEN KIDS ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT, THEY CAUTION.

>> WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT THERE IS A LINE.

WE OFTEN DON'T SEE THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE DEATHS AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE CASE ARE GOING UP.

>> THEY ARE URGING DISTRICTS TO LAYER THEIR STRATEGIES WHEN THE MASKS COME OFF.

>> WASH YOUR HANDS, PHYSICALLY DISTANCE, DEFINITELY STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK.

OPEN THE WINDOWS.

KEEP VENTILATION OF.

MOVE CLASSES OUTSIDE.

>> IN NEW PROVIDENCE, GUNDERMAN SAYS -- >> THEY HAVE BETTER CAR PARTS.

DESKS FACING EACH OTHER.

IF MASKS ARE OPTIONAL AND THERE FACING SOMEONE FOR EIGHT HOURS AND THERE IS NO BARRIERS, THIS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A SUCCESSFUL RECIPE TO KEEP OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

>> WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK FROM THE DISTRICT TO CONFIRM.

BUT SHE HAS STARTED A PETITION TO THE MASKS BACK ON WHILE PEARSON IS PLEADING TO LET THEM STAY OFF.

I'M JOANNA.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> ELECTED OFFICIALS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN WALKING AGAINST A SURTAX ON NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS WHO TRAVEL INTO MANHATTAN DURING RUSH HOUR.

THEY SAY COMMUTERS CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY ANYMORE UNDER A SO-CALLED CONGESTION PRICING PLAN.

BUT NOW, THAT PLAN HAS A PIECE OF TWITTER AS NEW YORK SAYS SHE HAS BEEN IN FAVOR OF IT.

NEW YORK WANTS TO USE REVENUE FROM THE TAX TO PAY FOR SUBWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

OFFICIALS HAVE ALLOWED THE PLAN FOR CONGESTION PRICING TO MOVE FORWARD.

THERE ARE SEVERAL KEY STEPS BETWEEN NOW AND FINAL APPROVAL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OTHERS ARE PRESSING FOR MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATES ON COMMUTING COSTS.

>> IN SOUTH JERSEY, OFFICIALS ATTEND THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE NEW JERSEY WIND PORT, A PROJECT THAT HELPS POSITION THE STATE AS A KEY PLAYER IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY AND BRINGS WITH IT, THE PROMISE OF HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE NEWPORT, LOCATED IN SALEM COUNTY, WILL CREATE 1500 NEW MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS JOBS ALONG WITH HUNDREDS MORE CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

THE PORT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS ALONG THE EAST COAST.

U.S. LABOR SECRETARY WAS IN ATTENDANCE TODAY AND HE LIKENED THE WIND PORT TO OTHER SIGNIFICANT ENERGY PROJECTS.

>> GREAT ENERGY PROJECTS GO DOWN IN HISTORY FOR PUTTING OUR NATION ON A BETTER PATH.

THINK ABOUT THE HOME IDEA OR THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY.

THEY BROUGHT ENERGY TO THE ENTIRE REGIONS SHORING IN THE 1930s.

THEY CREATED A NEW ERA PROJECT PROGRESS FOR OUR COUNTRY.

THE LEVEL OF CHANGE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IN THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN THE SPOT THAT WE ARE SITTING TODAY.

>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW STOP GRADING ENDED THE DAY ON WALL STREET.

FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THE LAKE IS NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST LAKE.

AS FORMER GOVERNOR PUTS IT IT IS A JEWEL.

>> HAS HAD REAL PROBLEMS WITH POLLUTION.

>> IT CAN CAUSE SKIN RATCHETS AND DIGESTIVE ISSUES.

THE CONSERVATION VOTERS ORGANIZED A BOAT TOUR FOR OFFICIALS IN THE AREA ON WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS HOW TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WE HAVE THIS UNTREATED STORMWATER RUNOFF THAT IS PICKING UP POLLUTION ON THE LAND AS IT GOES.

THINK ABOUT PET WASTE, GEESE WASTE, IT HELPS ALGAE GLOW GROW.

>> JENNIFER SAYS NEW DEVELOPMENT HAVE TO MANAGE ALL THE RAINWATER THAT FALLS ON THE PROPERTY.

THEY CAN DO THAT BY USING A KIND OF ASPHALT THAT ABSORBS WATER SHE SAYS OR BY USING GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE STORMWATER BASIS.

ALL OF THAT HELPS TO STOP FLOODING FROM HAPPENING, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED POLLUTION FROM GETTING INTO BODIES OF WATER.

THE SCIENTISTS WORN CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BRING HEAVY RAINS TO NEW JERSEY MORE OFTEN.

THAT WILL LIKELY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE.

BUT DEVELOPMENTS THAT DATE PRE- 2004 DON'T HAVE THAT SAME REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE SHE SAYS.

>> WE HAVE VAST EXPENSES OF PARKING LOTS AND RUBES AND LARGE BUILDINGS THAT DO NOTHING.

>> SHE BELIEVES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION TO KEEP THE SLATE CLEAN.

HOW THEY REACH THAT GOAL, THOUGH, IS WHERE THE DIFFERENCES LIE.

ONE SOLUTION IS THE STORMWATER UTILITY LAW.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FLOOD DEFENSE ACT, WHICH THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2019.

IT ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNORS TO IMPOSE A FEE ON A PROPERTY OWNER IF THEY ARE FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FLOODING.

LARGELY DUE TO A PROPERTY SERVICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO RUNOFF.

>> THE OPTION UNDER STORM ORDER UTILITY WAS REQUIRED THAT FEE TO THEN BE USED TO CREATE STRUCTURES THAT BETTER MANAGE THE STORMWATER.

IN PHILADELPHIA THEY DID THIS AND IT IS LESS THAN $10 A MONTH.

THEY ARE REDUCING THE IMPACT OF FLOODING.

>> NEW ARLINGTON BOROUGH HAS BEEN FOR TOWNS ON LAKEWOOD PACK ON.

THE MAYOR SAYS THEY ALL SUPPORT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS BUT IT DOESN'T BRING ANY TO IMPOSE A FEE TO GET TO THE GOAL.

HE SAYS IT CAN BE HANDLED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE CAN'T LIVE THAT WAY ANY LONGER.

PEOPLE ARE LEAVING NEW JERSEY.

THERE WON'T BE ANY MONEY LEFT TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CLEAN UP THESE LAKES AND THESE RIVERS.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT FOR A POLITICIAN, A FEE IS NOT POPULAR.

BUT, WHAT THIS STORMWATER UTILITY DOES IS IT HOLDS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASED FLOODING SO THEY CAN MANAGE THE PROBLEM SO THAT IT IS NOT PUSHED OFF ON THE REST OF NEW JERSEY.

>> IT MAY NOT BE AN ANSWER HERE ON THE LAKE.

PEOPLE MAY NOT WANT TO BE WILLING TO DO THAT.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE SOME BIG CHALLENGES.

>> THE OTHER CHALLENGE UNDER STORMWATER UTILITY, SOMEONE WHO OWNS A LOT OF THIS IMPERVIOUS COVER, SOME BLACKTOP PARKING LOTS, ROOFTOPS, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY THE FEE, THEY CAN DO IS THEY CAN MANAGE THEIR OWN STORMWATER.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS PUT STORMWATER UTILITY IN PLACE.

BUT, JENNIFER SAYS IT IS BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC DELAYS IN ABOUT A DOZEN COMMUNITIES ARE IN INITIAL PHASES.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR MANY OF US, WE WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT WE SAW ON 9/11.

20 YEARS LATER, THERE IS A GENERATION WHO DID NOT SEE THAT THEY UNFOLD.

WHO ARE TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER.

THEY KNOW 9/11 THROUGH THE IMAGES CAPTURED BY REPORTERS AND WITNESSES.

THOSE PICTURES HAVE BECOME A PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF A TERRIBLE DEADLY ATTACK.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS 9/11 PHOTOS WAS TAKEN BY A NEW JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHER, THOMAS, WHO IS NOW A PROFESSOR AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE SHARED WITH US HIS MEMORIES OF THE DAY HE DOCUMENTED HISTORY.

PROFESSOR, FIRST OF ALL, IT IS REALLY A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.

SO, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> FOR MYSELF, EVEN 20 YEARS LATER, I REALLY STRUGGLED TO LOOK AT ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES FROM 9/11.

I AM WONDERING IF YOU DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHEN YOU WERE THERE, ON THAT DAY, WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND?

>> SO, I WAS A STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER AT A NEWSPAPER.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS MY JOB TO GO OUT AND DOCUMENT AND RECORD AND PHOTOGRAPH WHAT I SAW.

AND, I STARTED OUT THAT DAY THINKING I WAS PREPARING FOR A MEETING ABOUT BASEBALL AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BIGGEST NEWS STORY OF MY LIFETIME.

>> I THINK WHAT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO REALIZE NOW, 20 YEARS LATER, IS EVEN WHEN WE WERE SEEING THIS HAPPEN, YOU COULD NOT PROCESS WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY SEEING.

THESE PHOTOS SHOW IT WAS JUST REALLY SURREAL, QUITE HONESTLY.

>> IT IS STILL HARD TO BELIEVE 20 YEARS LATER THAT HAPPENED.

IT IS STILL SO HARD TO, FOR ME, TO WRAP MY MIND AROUND WHAT OCCURRED AND FOR WHAT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE TREMENDOUS LOSS OF DEATH, THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT WAS LOST IS JUST SO HARD TO EVEN, YOU KNOW, COMPREHEND ALL THESE YEARS LATER.

IT WAS CERTAINLY HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT DAY.

>> YOU SEE THAT ON THE FACES OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU PHOTOGRAPH.

YOU SEE THEIR PAIN AND THEIR DESPAIR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS A SCENE OUT OF A HORROR MOVIE.

WHEN I HAD GONE TO MANHATTAN THAT DAY, THE VAST, YOU KNOW, MAGNITUDE OF THE DESTRUCTION WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

AND, EVERYTHING WAS COVERED IN DUST.

THAT WHITE POWDER, COVERED EVERYTHING.

I REMEMBER WALKING AROUND THE GROUND ZERO AREA AND EVERYTHING WAS LITTERED WITH DUST AND DEBRIS THAT CAME FROM THOSE BUILDINGS.

FINANCIAL REPORTS.

PERSONAL LETTERS.

PAPERS.

ALL THE DEBRIS THAT, YOU KNOW, CAME FROM THOSE BUILDINGS.

EVERYTHING THAT I SAW AND PHOTOGRAPH WAS COVERED IN DUST.

IT WAS UNREAL.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, ARGUABLY, THE MOST FAMOUS PHOTO FROM THAT DAY.

THE PHOTO YOU TOOK OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS RAISING THE FLAG.

NOW, I KNOW THE FIRST TIME I SAW THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS THE FIRST TIME EVERYTHING CHANGED FOR ME.

THIS PHOTO GAVE PEOPLE A FEELING OF HOPE AFTER THAT DESPAIR.

IT WAS A PHOTO THAT REALLY CHANGED SO MUCH FOR SO MANY OF US THAT WERE THERE.

WHAT DOES THAT PHOTO MEAN FOR YOU?

>> WELL, TO ME, IT IS THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT WAS TAKEN ON, YOU KNOW, THE WORST DAY IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

IT REPRESENTS, YOU KNOW, THE SOLDIERS IN THIS WAR THAT WE FOUND OURSELVES IN AND 9/11, WHICH WAS THE FIREMAN.

ALL THE OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND THIS PHOTOGRAPH TOUCHED A NERVE IN MANY AMERICANS.

PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME COUNTLESS TIMES THROUGH LETTERS AND EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS THAT I STILL GET FROM PEOPLE TELLING ME HOW MUCH THE PICTURE MEANS TO THEM AND HOW THEY GOT A SENSE OF, OF, OF UNITY AND STRENGTH BY SEEING, YOU KNOW, THE FIREMEN RAISING THIS FLAG AND THIS AMOUNT OF PATRIOTISM.

WE SAW IT IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AFTER 9/11.

OUR COUNTRY CAME TOGETHER AND WAS UNIFIED AND WE WERE ONE COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, UNITED AFTER THAT, THAT CAN THAT TERRIBLE DAY.

THE PHOTOGRAPH TO BE A PART OF THAT FACT THAT IT WAS A U.S. POSTAGE STAMP THAT RAISED $10 MILLION TO HELP VICTIMS OF 9/11.

THAT SPEAKS NOT ONLY TO THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY, BUT THE RESPONSE OF PEOPLE HAVE ADDED THIS PHOTOGRAPH AND STILL HAVE TO APPEAR >> AND WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU WERE THERE TO TALK TO US AND SHARE THE DAY WITH US.

PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> BEFORE WE GO, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE, FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE SIX COUNTIES ALREADY UNDER THE FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION, YOU CAN HEAD TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE.GOV TO START FILING A CLAIM WITH FEMA.

FOR THOSE LIVING IN COUNTIES NOT YET INCLUDED, YOU CAN REPORT YOUR DAMAGE AND FIND RESOURCES AT NJ.GOV/I DO.

YOU CAN ALSO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INSURANCE THROUGH WEB SMART.GOV.

OF COURSE, WE WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR WEBSITE.

ALONG WITH OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS.

I AM RHONDA AND FOR BREANNA.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND, BY THE SEG FOUNDATION.

LEAD FUNDING FOR PERIL AND PROMISE IS PROVIDED BY THE DOCTOR.

MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION AND SEWER THE THIRD.

AND THE CHERYL AND PHILIP O'STEEN FAMILY.

>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY P SEG.

THEY PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL.

SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT IS WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ALSO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANTS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.