One Year After Hurricane Irene Some Residents Still Looking for Answers

Some Mariners Cove residents still in their homes while others leave.

For the residents of Mariners Cove, the memories of Hurricane Irene are still fresh one year later.  The ones that remain from the most affected areas remember being rescued by boats from their houses in the cul-de-sac before coming home to houses damaged by water, mud and debris the storm and the Manasquan River whipped around. In the wake of the storm several high profile officials including Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Rep. Chris Smith came to the neighborhood as well as representatives from FEMA, and the township and county governments. Since the storm many of the residents in the most heavily affected area have decided to look elsewhere for housing while three families have stayed behind. Dawn Silva and Madeline Novello are two who say …

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IRENE, ONE YEAR LATER: The Big Storm That Brought The Jersey Shore Together

An event that mobilized and galvanized a region that was determined to stay safe

Some say it was the big storm that wasn't very big at all. A year ago this weekend, Hurricane Irene plowed into the East Coast with a roar, churning up the shoreline and leaving shuttered businesses and displaced families in its wake. By the time it got to the Jersey Shore, however, the storm that once packed 115 mph winds had fizzled into a tropical storm that felled trees, flooded roads and knocked out power to tens of thousands, but kept many more free from harm. Still, few argue that Hurricane Irene did something that had rarely - if ever - been done before, doing as much to bring together the Jersey Shore, and give it the good name it has long had, that many believe a certain MTV show has not. It galvanized and mobilized a region that…

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Irene: One Year Later

How did the 2011 storm impacted you?

Sunday marks the first anniversary of the storm that pulled trees from their roots, flooded streets, decimated homes and businesses and left thousands without power. After Irene blew through Freehold and neighboring towns in August 2011, Freehold Patch was there to cover the hurricane that had been downgraded to a tropical storm. The storm left municipalities holding the bill. Many towns were appropriated for emergency funds for cleanup, and applied for federal grants and FEMA funds. One year later, we're asking you: Does the storm continue to impact you? What changes did you make in and around your home? Did your business, or neighboring businesses survive the wind and flood damage? Add photos of your neighborhood from the storm, and …

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JCP&L Addresses Ongoing Power Outages, Public Communication

Council members ask utility company to investigate areas more prone to outages.

Last year’s Hurricane Irene left residents across the state without power for days, resulting in widespread criticism for Jersey Central Power and Lighting’s lack of communication and seemingly delayed response. According to Gerry Riccardi, area manager for JCP&L, the company heard these complaints “loud and clear.” Riccardi, along with JCP&L engineer Harvey Lockley, addressed these issues at the Freehold Borough Council meeting Monday evening. The governing body passed a resolution earlier this year asking JCP&L to review the power infrastructure throughout the borough. Riccardi stressed the measures JCP&L is taking to become more available to the public, such as increasing use of social media, regular visits to council meetings and …

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Local Mayors Support North Jersey Towns' Movement to Dump JCP&L

Dempsey and Doherty say company cares more about profits than customers

As two northern New Jersey municipalities are asking the state for permission to switch from Jersey Central Power & Light to another electricity provider, the mayors of Manasquan and Belmar, whose residents are JCP&L customers, said they wished they could do the same. Last week, Robbinsville and Warren Township filed requests to the state Board of Public Utilities for permission to switch to Public Service Electric & Gas, while 14 other towns are also considering the same move, the Star Ledger reported Dec. 2. But both municipalities border the PSE&G grid and a portion of Robbinsville is already powered by the company, while Manasquan and Belmar are miles away. Both Manasquan Mayor George Dempsey and his Belmar counterpart Matthew Doherty …

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Hurricane Irene

FEMA Extends Proof of Loss Deadline for Irene

FEMA has again extended their timeline for applicants looking for relief from Hurricane Irene.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a 60-day extension for the proof of loss deadline for flood victims of Hurricane Irene from Nov. 23, 2011 to Jan. 23, 2012 under the National Flood Insurance Program. The extension goes into effect for flood policyholders in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia with dates of loss between Aug. 26 and Sept. 4. This is the second extension from FEMA, the original extension ended Nov. 30. FEMA can be contacted toll-free at 888-379-9531. Lines are open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

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Hurricane Irene

Frustration Unloaded onto BPU About JCP&L Storm Response

Monmouth County residents and elected public officials verbalized their exasperation with JCP&L at the Board Public Utilities open public forum.

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) was brought under scrutiny yesterday at the state Board of Public Utilities Hearing at Monmouth County Library headquarters in Manalapan. JCP&L customers from throughout the area came out to criticize the power company’s job after Hurricane Irene struck New Jersey in late August. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities held the hearing, with a second hearing scheduled for today in Morris Plains, to gather evidence against the company in an attempt to rectify why JCP&L allegedly performed so poorly after the hurricane. Board of Public Utilities President Lee A. Solomon mediated the open forum, alongside BPU Commisioners Nicholas Asselta, Jeanne Fox, and Joseph Fiordaliso. The Board is holding similar …

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Hurricane Irene

Christie Urges Residents To Seek FEMA Help; Neptune Office Set Up

Governor outlines coordinated response in storm's aftermath.

Governor Chris Christie on Tuesday urged those impacted by Hurricane Irene to seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency - and Neptune will serve as FEMA's hub site for New Jersey. Beginning Wednesday, the Joint Field Office in Neptune will serve as the field office for all federal and New Jersey Office of Emergency Management relief efforts throughout the state. "Representatives from the departments will be located here to ensure that we're all working together, officially and effectively, in a coordinated manner to get assistance to folks as quickly as possible," he said. Speaking at the Neptune office alongside FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Bill Vogel and other officials, the governor outlined the state and federal …

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Jeff Gollin

10:35 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Goes to show you that things are seldom that simple and that a lot of political positions are taken for rigid ideological reasons or to score political points rather than what's best and most practical for the people served. Sometimes irresponsible rhetoric puts politicians in ticklish positions because they'll avoid doing the right thing because they're afraid of being accused of hypocricy. …   more ›

Hurricane Irene

Mayor Salkin Releases Video Update on Hurricane Irene Response

Freehold Township mayor details storm's effect on municipality.

Freehold Township Mayor David Salkin released a video update on Hurricane Irene’s impact on the municipality. During the eight-minute video Salkin discusses the damages to Jackson Mills Road and provides information on the township’s plans for a brush pick-up on Sept. 6. In addition, the mayor provides Salkin urged Freehold Township residents to heed road closure signs, noting that the signs are there because of hazardous conditions. “You are risking not only damaging your vehicle, you are risking getting killed,” he said. Salkin said he understands the frustration residents feel because of power outages and that JCP&L is working hard to bring electric back.

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Mary bolo

9:14 am on Saturday, September 3, 2011

Mr. Salkin; First of all thank you for responding. I did get my power on early Friday morning. I think we need to be more prepared for the next time. The trees that are hanging over wires should be cut or trimmed. Please don't tell me the Shade Tree Commission won't allow that. Your the Mayor....You need to make an executive decision. I am sure every resident feels the same. You shot down my …   more ›