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Corzine declares state of emergency for New Jersey coast
Corzine declares state of emergency along coast
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Gov. Jon S. Corzine declared a state of emergency Sunday for Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Burlington, Ocean and Monmouth counties following this week’s damaging coastal storm.
Corzine cited “severe weather conditions (that) have caused significant beach erosion, damage to dunes and debris conditions” in the state’s shore towns in making the declaration.
Click here to view aerial photos showing the effects of the storm
During a conference call Sunday afternoon, Col. Rick Fuentes, head of the State Police and Office of Emergency Management, said the declaration was a step in the process as New Jersey seeks a presidential emergency declaration from President Barack Obama.
“It does set the stage for us to move forward,” Fuentes said Sunday. A presidential declaration makes it easier for the state and its residents to receive federal aid to rebuild after the storm.
The weekend storm dropped 1 to 4 inches of rain along the coastal region, but heavy, gusting winds and three tide cycles contributed to serious flooding along the state’s barrier islands, said Lt. Dennis McNulty, also of the Office of Emergency Management.
Fuentes said he estimated several hundred homes and 50 to 100 businesses were affected by the storm, but monetary damages still are being assessed. County and local governments are expected to turn in their damage estimates to the state by noon Monday.
Lenora Boninfante, public information director for Cape May County, said Sunday that local emergency management officials were out surveying the county Sunday.
Two Long Beach Island homes that were affected by the storm were deemed stable Sunday.
Mary Todd, a Linwood resident and owner of a home on Merivale Avenue in Beach Haven, said via e-mail, “It (the home) is stable. We will be talking to Beach Haven officials (today) and should have more information tomorrow afternoon. We hope and expect that Beach Haven will apply for FEMA emergency funds to re-establish the beach and the street end.”
Harvey Cedars police said a home on Atlantic Avenue had been stabilized as well.
Carol Frisby, a retired model who spent her entire life summering in Ocean City, moved there permenantly with her husband five years ago. She lives on Wesley Road.
Frisby rode her bike and walked her dog on East Atlantic Avenue, which was corded off with yellow tape and road blocks because the storm tore apart the huge sand dunes.
Frisby said the damage was so bad it reminded her of the 1944 hurricane she lived through as a child, in which some houses were reduced to foundation slabs.
Frisby said the government spent thousands of dollars to replenish the dunes, which are very important for home protection, and she was worried about how much it would cost to fix them.
She also was worried overall about the future of Ocean City if more strong storms continue to come.
“I’m very concerned because you’re talking about climate change. We had more northeasters (than) I’ve seen in a row,” she said. “You don’t get as much, except in winter, and it’s early.”
U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, both D-N.J., and Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, praised the governor’s declaration, according to a statement from LoBiondo spokesman Jason Galanes.
Staff writer Michelle Lee contributed to this report.
Contact Trudi Gilfillian:
609-463-6716
Posted in BREAKING on Monday, November 16, 2009 6:30 am Updated: 12:44 pm.
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