FEMA representatives were in Middlesex County Sunday to help residents impacted by Ida apply for federal aid.

Lauren lived in her home in Middlesex for nearly 25 years. After Ida struck, her home is deemed uninhabitable and her family is forced to stay at hotel.

“I've been crying every day, but at this point it's just survival,” she says.

As Ida pummeled New Jersey with unrelenting downpours, water quickly began rising around Lauren's home.

"I hear this big boom and I literally thought it was thunder and lightning because of the storm… and all of a sudden my husband says call 911,” she says.

The foundation of her house collapsed, causing an eruption of water to fill the home. As her home and neighborhood turned into a lake, Lauren and her family were rescued by boat.

Without a home, Lauren and hundreds of other Middlesex residents visited the Middlesex Borough Recreation Center this weekend where FEMA representatives helped those in need apply for federal funding.

"It can make a big difference. A lot of people don't have the funds. They have to go out of their pocket and it's awfully hard,” Lauren says. “Some people are living in other locations, some people are living in hotels right now. It gets very expensive."

Lauren and her family have spent thousands of dollars staying at a hotel while her home is being assessed by her insurance company— much of which she doesn't believe will be reimbursed. She hopes the federal assistance will help her get back on her feet.

"I need help. I want my house fixed immediately and I also want to know where am I going,” Lauren says. “It's not fair. How long is it going to take?"

The application for FEMA disaster relief is also available online for those in the designated 10 county disaster zones. FEMA representatives say their goal is to visit each community affected for two days to help with the application process.