NJ & Sandy

[LBIJim]

Safe and sound and dry in Manahawkin, NJ, which is on the mainland across from Long Beach Island. Some sections of Manahawkin close to the bay got hit pretty bad, too. Fortunately, my FIL's house is on a rare "mountain" near the shore, about 12 feet above sea level. There's a slope in the back yard down to the water. It didn't flood here; it's far enough away from the bay that any storm surge or high tides had a chance to dissipate. Power was out for 38 hours, but relatively speaking, it was restored quickly. But cable TV and FIL's home internet still is out. Haven't seen any TV reports since Monday afternoon.

I'm hearing 7-10 days.

The videos are heartbreaking. The Island wasn't a vacation spot for me, it was home. My grandparents went there during the Great Depression from NC to find work and they found it and stayed. The history that I have (pictures and things from old hotels and such) goes way back so LBI holds a very special place in my heart too. For years people talked and talked about the '62 storm. 60 years later, it'll be about Hurricane Sandy.
Through it all, I think of Tucker's Island and how it no longer is even there. At least LBI is still standing.

Video makes it seems like Seaside was hit even worse. God be with the people of NJ, coastal or inland and all those hit by this ferocious storm.

I'm anxious of LBIJim to check in.

I have no clue when I'll be allowed back onto LBI. It might take at least 3 or 4 more days at the minimum. Based on photos I've seen in newspapers and on the internet, I'm hesitant to actually call LBI "devastated." Lots of damage, sure, but it looks like most of the houses are still standing. Flooded at times, no doubt, and now lots of sand in the streets, but I think most homes will be salvageable. A far cry from early rumors that LBI was "no more" or "totally wiped out."

It remains to be seen if this was worse than 1962. Much higher $$ damage due to increased property values and more buildings now, but more homes were totally destroyed in 1962, based on aerial photos I've seen.

Funny thing about Tucker's Island. In the late 1990s, it actually started to rise again. The currents and shoals shifted and there was actually "land" above the water even at high tide. You could beach your boat there. Then only about three years later it disappeared again and now there's hardly anything even at low tide.

Don't know if you've seen the photos of the collapsed amusement pier and the roller coaster that fell into the ocean at Seaside Heights. The strangest thing, several years ago I has a weird dream about this very thing, that roller coaster falling. I don't remember many details, but I don't think it was storm-related in my dream. More of a structural/engineering issue.

Have people in general always been so stupid about livingthisclose to water or is it a 19th century on kind of thing? You would think the poorest people would be living closet to the water because the richer people would want to be safer...I guess there's just no fathoming the Darwin effect.

I've lived in Jersey all my life and one thing I was always taught was "sandbars, they move".

As far as anyone in LBI, they have the national guard out there since Sunday, I don't know if there is any communication out available. I haven't heard/seen anything about deaths on the island, but news is still coming out. Even around here telephone service is sketchy, both landline and cellular.

Until the late 19th century, people were smart enough to stay away from barrier islands. It was just too dangerous. The few buildings were small bungalows or fishing shacks that the owners could afford to lose. Then the appeal of living by the sea, at least seasonally, became attractive. In Galveston, Texas, in 1900, your rich/poor thought was accurate. The haughtiest residential streets were on higher ground, well away from the Gulf, while the less wealthy lives closer to the water.

Even though I live year round on LBI, your Darwin comment doesn't bother me. It's a risk we're willing to take. But I evacuated. Some people didn't. As far as I know, nobody was killed by the storm on LBI. But if there were deaths by people who refused to evacuate (excepting police, fire, other emergency personnel, etc).....well, I wouldn't say "Darwin", but I'd be shaking my head at their decision to stay.

Yesterday I saw the most wonderful sight. A line of over 50 utility trucks from Jackson, Mississippi and Alabama coming to help restore power in the shore towns. We all waved and said thank you as they passed by. They were carrying transformers, poles, and wires.

Just made me tear up to know there are so many caring people in the world.

I've noticed lots of utility trucks from "Alabama Power" in these parts over the past few days. Thanks, "bama.

We're anxious to get home and see the extent of the damage. Hopefully our house isn't too bad. It's elevated on pilings and we have flood insurance. But I'm not looking forward to whatever hassles await. Until then, I have to go about as normal as I can.

I'll try to keep updating about LBI if I hear more.

Hopefully everyone else in NJ fared OK. I know there's still vast areas with power and people are running out of gas in north Jersey. Please be patient. Those Alabama Power trucks will get to you soon.

Jim

Thanks to all for your prayers and kind thoughts.

 

[DannysMom]

Glad to see you are OK, Jim.

After camping out in my house with no power & no heat (we did have water & gas stovetop to cook) for 3 days it got too cold to stay. Yesterday it was a crisp 54 degrees in my bedroom during the day. We weren't sticking around to see how cold it got at night.

ATM we are at a hotel in PA, none of the local hotels with power had any rooms. Hopefully we can go home soon. The lack of info from JCP&L is frustatrating.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos.

 

[Buckalew11]

Great to see your name on here, Jim!

I'd love to agree with you about LBI but with each passing day, the photos are worse for parts of the Island. While not "wiped out", the damage is far worse than I feared. Believe me, I have glued myself to this computer looking at picture after picture, film after film. I hope I'm wrong.

Please take care and know that people are thinking of and praying for you and your neighbors.

 

[njmom47]

Thanks for checking in LBIJim. Hope things work out for you.

From an article on BrickPatch, Gov Christie said:

Repopulating the barrier islands will take time, he said.

Were going to let you on there as soon as we have made it safe for you to be on there, said Christie, adding that Long Beach Island fared significantly better in the storm than the Barnegat Peninsula and would probably be open sooner.

Its not that I dont want you to go and see your homes, he said. Its that I want you to be safe when you go and see your homes.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Manalapan here. We got our power back at 4am this morning. Bil, gmil (100 year old women in an all electric adult community still no power), brother, cousin and mil (next town over) still no power. The people behind us have no power (they never lost any during Irene though).

We were lucky, we had our generator, and DH, working in PA bought extra gas cans and had gas. I also waited on really long lines, with some very nasty ppl to get gas. DH was also able to get our furnace's electric blower going yesterday so we had heat.

Our only damage was to our roof. We lost lots of shingles and according to two contractors, it needs to be replaced. Filed with our insurance company and with FEMA today. Irene caused 30k worth of damages, this isn't as expensive, and I am hoping that it will be covered, we shall see.

We are so thankful and grateful that is the worst that happened. I see huge trees down everywhere. The news reports are horrific. My mil worked with a women and her DH who were killed in SI. Thakfully a friend of ours house was ok in Belmar. It just feels surreal.

Hopefully more DIsers will check in with good news also! Stay safe everyone!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-sandy-power-outages-orlando-20121102,0,6858437.story

Hundreds of Central Florida utility workers will spend weeks in the Northeast helping restore power to the millions of residents left in the dark after Sandy slammed into the coast.

Officials from North Carolina-based Duke Energy, which merged in July with Progress Energy Florida, said nearly 500 Central Florida utility employees and contractors are in Pennsylvania assisting workers from PECO Energy Co.

In total, the utility has sent 2,850 workers to restore power to 4.7 million homes and businesses affected by the storm in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

Here are more utility workers on their way up north to help out. I just don't get why people are saying no one is coming up there? Could it be because they don't see them? Or because their electric isn't back on yet? Help is coming. All of these workers coming up will be away from their family's for the Thanksgiving Holiday too..

 

[dsneprincess]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-sandy-power-outages-orlando-20121102,0,6858437.story

Hundreds of Central Florida utility workers will spend weeks in the Northeast helping restore power to the millions of residents left in the dark after Sandy slammed into the coast.

Officials from North Carolina-based Duke Energy, which merged in July with Progress Energy Florida, said nearly 500 Central Florida utility employees and contractors are in Pennsylvania assisting workers from PECO Energy Co.

In total, the utility has sent 2,850 workers to restore power to 4.7 million homes and businesses affected by the storm in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

Here are more utility workers on their way up north to help out. I just don't get why people are saying no one is coming up there? Could it be because they don't see them? Or because their electric isn't back on yet? Help is coming. All of these workers coming up will be away from their family's for the Thanksgiving Holiday too..

Hope they are union folk. Rumor is that non union is being turned away. Maybe that is why people are saying no help is coming, however, it may have more to do with persecution at a time of great need. I can only imagine how uncomfortable people are, especially the elderly, with no power. The weather up here is cold & damp. Thoughts and prayers to all in need

 

[JaneBanks]

Hope they are union folk. Rumor is that non union is being turned away. Maybe that is why people are saying no help is coming, however, it may have more to do with persecution at a time of great need. I can only imagine how uncomfortable people are, especially the elderly, with no power. The weather up here is cold & damp. Thoughts and prayers to all in need

It is a rumor. It was all a misunderstanding.

 

[Fly4free]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-sandy-power-outages-orlando-20121102,0,6858437.story

Hundreds of Central Florida utility workers will spend weeks in the Northeast helping restore power to the millions of residents left in the dark after Sandy slammed into the coast.

Officials from North Carolina-based Duke Energy, which merged in July with Progress Energy Florida, said nearly 500 Central Florida utility employees and contractors are in Pennsylvania assisting workers from PECO Energy Co.

In total, the utility has sent 2,850 workers to restore power to 4.7 million homes and businesses affected by the storm in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

Here are more utility workers on their way up north to help out. I just don't get why people are saying no one is coming up there? Could it be because they don't see them? Or because their electric isn't back on yet? Help is coming. All of these workers coming up will be away from their family's for the Thanksgiving Holiday too..

Many thanks to all the extra workers coming up to PA to help. Our power was knocked out early in the storm and I feared the worst but PECO had us up and running in less than 7 hrs.

My poor neighbors 1 block over have not been so lucky. A large tree fell and took down the power lines on Monday. They are still without power and not due to have it restored until Sunday. It's cold up here now. My heart goes out to all those without power and especially those who have had damage to their homes. It's just unbelievable!! Many lives have been lost with this hurricane as well. The death toll keeps rising.

 

[JoiseyMom]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-sandy-power-outages-orlando-20121102,0,6858437.story

Hundreds of Central Florida utility workers will spend weeks in the Northeast helping restore power to the millions of residents left in the dark after Sandy slammed into the coast.

Officials from North Carolina-based Duke Energy, which merged in July with Progress Energy Florida, said nearly 500 Central Florida utility employees and contractors are in Pennsylvania assisting workers from PECO Energy Co.

In total, the utility has sent 2,850 workers to restore power to 4.7 million homes and businesses affected by the storm in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

Here are more utility workers on their way up north to help out. I just don't get why people are saying no one is coming up there? Could it be because they don't see them? Or because their electric isn't back on yet? Help is coming. All of these workers coming up will be away from their family's for the Thanksgiving Holiday too..

You have so many people who are frustrated with the lack of communication, and why a block away has power and they don't. Its all me me me, with some. I know I would give my power up to have my DH's gm (100 years old) community power first. We have no idea why they weren't a priority. It's an older development all electric with very senior citizens. I have family in five different sections down near me in my town or next town and we are the only ones with power. I am very thankful for that. We set up our generator at the in-laws (another retirement community) and gmil and her aid are there.

We know they are attempting power since we see/here the explosions of the transformers when they attempt to turn it on. For us, I don't understand why they got the mall up and running, but not elderly communities. It is frustrating. But then again, we are lucky it is just power where I am. No major flooding, just damage from trees and wind.

We are staying away from the open stores and restaurants so others who need things can get what they need. My kids were supposed to be off all next week (Jersey Week), right now they are trying to see if they have the staff to open the schools from W-F.

It is frustrating, but everyone needs to be patient, and go to a shelter or somewhere that has heat and what they need. Or if you have a gas stove, boil water on all burners to generate heat for your house.

 

[castleview]

It is a rumor. It was all a misunderstanding.

Yup. NJ just has a law that makes sure the actual line worker is paid a certain amount of the money paid for service. Basically, it keeps a company owner from keeping too much while the worker gets paid little.

 

[dismichelle]

You have so many people who are frustrated with the lack of communication, and why a block away has power and they don't. Its all me me me, with some. I know I would give my power up to have my DH's gm (100 years old) community power first. We have no idea why they weren't a priority. It's an older development all electric with very senior citizens. I have family in five different sections down near me in my town or next town and we are the only ones with power. I am very thankful for that. We set up our generator at the in-laws (another retirement community) and gmil and her aid are there.

We know they are attempting power since we see/here the explosions of the transformers when they attempt to turn it on. For us, I don't understand why they got the mall up and running, but not elderly communities. It is frustrating. But then again, we are lucky it is just power where I am. No major flooding, just damage from trees and wind.

We are staying away from the open stores and restaurants so others who need things can get what they need. My kids were supposed to be off all next week (Jersey Week), right now they are trying to see if they have the staff to open the schools from W-F.

It is frustrating, but everyone needs to be patient, and go to a shelter or somewhere that has heat and what they need. Or if you have a gas stove, boil water on all burners to generate heat for your house.

In the south, it works on grids and population. The very first restored were always hospitals (if you're on the same grid as the hospital, you were also one of the first back on), then nursing homes, then usually the more heavily populated cities and then out to rural areas. If one grid can get 500 people back on and another can get 10 people back on, the 500 were usually gotten to quicker.

Also, it had to do with how simple it was to get it back on in that area. Some places were as simple as replacing one pole, others had blown transformers and every single pole/line down as well. They may have workers in both areas, but those with simpler problems were always fixed first. Some people in the heavily affected areas here were without real power for over a month and makeshift wires had to be run at times due to it being so much damage.

I have always lived rural and always to get power back.

 

[JoiseyMom]

In the south, it works on grids and population. The very first restored were always hospitals (if you're on the same grid as the hospital, you were also one of the first back on), then nursing homes, then usually the more heavily populated cities and then out to rural areas. If one grid can get 500 people back on and another can get 10 people back on, the 500 were usually gotten to quicker.

Also, it had to do with how simple it was to get it back on in that area. Some places were as simple as replacing one pole, others had blown transformers and every single pole/line down as well. They may have workers in both areas, but those with simpler problems were always fixed first. Some people in the heavily affected areas here were without real power for over a month and makeshift wires had to be run at times due to it being so much damage.

I have always lived rural and always to get power back.

We have grids also, and I know where I am located we have two schools, but I really wish that the seniors only 1 mile from me would/should have been a priority. Like I said, there is no communication here. My town sucks at it. THey were horrible in Irene also.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Ocean COunty:

We are opening our snack stand at Brick American Baseball League on lanes mill Rd across from brick memorial high school at 1030 am we will be offering free breakfast lunch and dinner to those who are without power or displaced from their homes. You can also come to charge your phone get warm or watch tv. Please repost and spread the word


Monmouth County:

Monmouth residents in need of essential items can head to one of three facilities designated as distribution centers.

The following sites are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

Holy Family Church — 910 Route 36 Hazlet
Monmouth Park — Oceanport Ave., Oceanport
Circle Factory Outlet – (formerly known as the Peddler’s Village) 1407 Atlantic Ave. at the Route 35 circle, Manasquan.
A county release says bottled water, non-perishable items, clothing and hygiene products are among the items available.

Additionally, Monmouth officials have set up a Sandy hotline for all relevant information at 732-303-2882.


IF ANYONE WANTS TO VOTE EARLY
Go to the
Monmouth County Special Services Complex
located at:


300 Halls Mills Road (Corner of Willowbrook Road)
Freehold, NJ 07728

732-431-7790

Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 Until 6:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Tuesday – Must Vote at your Polling Place


RT 35 Eatontown at Lowes...Saturday.. Tide will have Mobile washer and dryers to wash, dry and fold your laundry for Free starting Saturday 11/3 at 8am

 

[aejammers]

Not sure if this will help someone or not, but in the Doylestown area of PA (central Bucks County) there is gas with no lines at the stations. All the stations I drove by today were open. PM if you want specific locations.

 

[JVL1018]

http://www.nj.gov/nj/home/features/spotlight/20121103-05-2_PSEG.pdf

Schedule for PSE&G customers

 

[ilovemk76]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-hurricane-sandy-power-outages-orlando-20121102,0,6858437.story

Hundreds of Central Florida utility workers will spend weeks in the Northeast helping restore power to the millions of residents left in the dark after Sandy slammed into the coast.

Officials from North Carolina-based Duke Energy, which merged in July with Progress Energy Florida, said nearly 500 Central Florida utility employees and contractors are in Pennsylvania assisting workers from PECO Energy Co.

In total, the utility has sent 2,850 workers to restore power to 4.7 million homes and businesses affected by the storm in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

Here are more utility workers on their way up north to help out. I just don't get why people are saying no one is coming up there? Could it be because they don't see them? Or because their electric isn't back on yet? Help is coming. All of these workers coming up will be away from their family's for the Thanksgiving Holiday too..

I have seen many convoys going north on I95.

I think the problem is they are still out of power and figure that it should have been on before this time.

 

[Dee77]

Much appreciation to the Georgia power workers for helping out in Rockland County.

Thanks everyone for all the updates on the efforts in New Jersey.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Well, the union guys are now harassing the non-union guys! You guys up there need to complain and let them know you want them to stop! I can't believe people would treat other people poorly! They came to help!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Well, the union guys are now harassing the non-union guys! You guys up there need to complain and let them know you want them to stop! I can't believe people would treat other people poorly! They came to help!

Details?

What state? What power company? What crew and who are they harassing?