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Learn about new resources for Wilmington residents hit by Ida flooding

Sophia Schmidt, Delaware Public Media

The state and City of Wilmington announced additional resources Wednesday for people affected by last week’srecord flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

“This was a life-altering event for many Wilmington residents, and we know that they are hurting and need assistance,” said A.J. Schall, Jr., Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), in a statement. “We are working to bring all available resources to bear including local, state, federal, volunteer, and non-profit partners, to help address immediate needs and begin long term recovery.”

Apply for the new state Flood Cleanup Assistance program 

DEMA announced a new Flood Cleanup Assistance program, funded with $200,000 from the Emergency Management Resilience Fund, which will leverage the Milford Housing Development Corporation to help qualifying residents clean up from the flood.

Available services include:

  • Mucking
  • Removal of damaged drywall
  • Moisture control
  • Minor structural repairs 
  • Assistance with insurance deductibles for renters, homeowners and flood insurance 

Residents can apply for DEMA’s Flood Assistance Program by calling 1-844-413-0038. 

To be eligible, single households must earn less than $52,000 per year. State officials say there are higher income limits for families, based on the number of family members. Applicants must also prove they live in the area affected by the flood, which the state defines as:

  • Along the East side of Northeast Boulevard to 17th Street
  • From 17th to Bowers
  • From Bowers to E. 12th Street
  • From E. 12th Street to Pullman 
  • From Pullman to Northeast Boulevard

A map is available here. 

Call the new City of Wilmington cleanup hotline

The City of Wilmington announced a new toll-free crisis cleanup hotline at 1-844-965-1386. It will remain open until Oct. 1. 

Volunteers through the Delaware Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (DEVOAD) may help residents who call with:

  • Cutting fallen trees
  • Removing appliances
  • Tarping roofs 
  • Mitigating mold

 
“It’s a difficult task to pull lives and properties back together again following natural and unexpected disasters,” said City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki in a statement. “The past several days have tested the ability of the community and government to come together as quickly as possible to assist affected residents and businesses. We have a great deal of work to do, but the City and State are committed to the tasks and challenges ahead.”

The services available through the City hotline are free—but officials say they’re not guaranteed, as resources are limited. And they don’t include social services. 

Residents seeking food, clothing or shelter should call the Social Services Call Center at 302-571-4900. 

Hundreds of residents attended a temporary disaster recovery resource fair in Northeast Wilmington Tuesday. 

Some left the event dissatisfied, feeling they didn’t get enough concrete answers about housing. 

Sophia Schmidt is a Delaware native. She comes to Delaware Public Media from NPR’s Weekend Edition in Washington, DC, where she produced arts, politics, science and culture interviews. She previously wrote about education and environment for The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, MA. She graduated from Williams College, where she studied environmental policy and biology, and covered environmental events and local renewable energy for the college paper.
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