Updated: FEMA Inspectors Visit New Milford

Two different teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited New Milford on Wednesday to assess damages from the recent flooding following last week's rainstorms.

"The first team was here to assess municipal damages," said NMPD Chief Frank Papapietro. "The other assessed individual homeowner damages."

One of the areas the municipal inspectors assessed was the high school's athletic field. 

"The preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams were in New Milford today looking at private homes as well as public buildings," said Don Caetano, spokesman for FEMA Region II. "This is done to assess whether the community qualifies for individual assistance and/or public assistance."  

Caetano said residents who want to learn more about the difference between the types of assistance should log on to http://www.fema.gov/hazard/dproc.shtm.

"During the assessments, they compile information on damages in order to build their report as well as advising residents about the programs and aid available to them," said Caetano.

Caetano said FEMA had about 70 people throughout Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Morris counties conducting PDAs and they will be in the four counties through the end of this week and into next week if necessary.

Papapietro said borough homeowners who sustained damage as a result of the storms should contact Lt. Paul Miller of the New Jersey State Police/FEMA Joint Field Office at 732-427-4102. The information is also posted on the borough's website.