SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. (WCBS 880) — Six weeks after Hurricane Ida, a Union County storage facility told clients it was throwing out their belongings due to storm damage. One customer, however, was able to get a court to stop her unit from being emptied out and is now trying to help others.
“It’s just terrible what they’re doing to people,” said Mary Jean Murphy. “It’s just unbelievable.”
She told WCBS 880 that her daughter’s wedding dress and decades-old memories of her parents are just some of the many items in her unit at Public Storage.
When she was notified that her unit was going to be emptied due to storm damage, she said she was distraught and immediately sought legal counsel.
A temporary injunction was issued Wednesday to keep Public Storage from touching any of her things for now and she’s trying to give the same chance to the 175 others with units at the Scotch Plains facility.
“At least give us an opportunity to look at it, to see how badly damaged they are,” Murphy said. “And let us mourn our loss and let us have some closure. They’re not giving us that.”
In a statement, Public Storage said there is not safe way that people can come to inspect their units because of the toxins and hazardous mold that appeared after the storm.
Though, Murphy said she went to the facility on Monday and witnessed the people hired to clean the units not taking any precautions to protect themselves, despite Public Storage’s warnings.
“Some of them were just in T-shirts standing there and walking in and out,” Murphy said. “We were a wreck. We couldn’t believe they won’t let us in but look at these people that they’ve hired to clean.”
Public Storage said it has refunded rents for September and isn’t charging for October. The company is also working with customers through the insurance claims process.
Murphy said she is still not giving up on hope that she will be able to help others in the same situation as herself. The temporary injunction issued Wednesday will remain in place until a court hearing on Nov. 5.
She is asking others at the storage unit to contact her lawyer, Jacob Davidson at Jacob@falkflotteron.com.
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