In the News: Storm damage estimates at Shore being compiled

With the recent passing of the remnants of hurricane Ernesto and tropical storm Florence churning in the Atlantic it has become apparent that this is going to be another active tropical season for the east coast. The question seems not if but when the next major system will arrive in the Harbor Bight ecosystem. Are we ready? The article below from the Asbury Park Press shows that we have good risk management programs in place, but our overall coastal planning approach still needs significant improvement to limit the impacts of these storms on our economy and the environment. JB

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/6/06
By Bob Jordan and Brian Prince

The bill from Ernesto's damage is expected to exceed $500,000 in Monmouth County, but Ocean County officials are still calculating the amount of damage inflicted by the one-time hurricane when it struck the Shore on Friday and Saturday.

Municipal officials said the tropical depression's impact also will be felt if local services or projects are delayed because of storm cleanup work.

"We may have to have a special brush and limb pickup because of the storm, and if so, it will mean taking our Public Works employees off other projects for about two weeks so they can do it," said Thomas Antus, Freehold Township administrator. "In terms of actual additional costs for cleanup, it's not much, outside of Police Department overtime during the storm event, but it will delay what Public Works can do for two weeks."

Cleanup continued Tuesday from the storm, in which gusts of up to about 60 mph felled trees and knocked down about 500 Jersey Central Power & Light Co. wires in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Read more...
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006609060339

National Hurricane Center:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricane Preparedness
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml