Deadline today to register for hurricane aid

New Jersey residents whose homes and properties sustained damage in Hurricane Irene have until tonight to register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Disaster aid can include grants for temporary housing or essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Low-interest disaster loans are also available to homeowners, renters and business owners to replace personal property.
Two remaining Disaster Recovery Centers in Essex and Passaic counties will also close today. The centers, which operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., provide face-to-face answers to questions for those who have already registered.
There are three ways to register: go to the website or call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with multilingual operators available.