Community Corner
Residents Assess Storm Damage
Locals are thankful that the hurricane was not as severe as expected
Hurricane Irene has passed but many locals are still dealing with her aftermath -- minimal damage for most including flooding and fallen trees.
“They said it would be bad. It could have been worse,” said Carol Shamues of Hoboken who evacuated to a friends house in Spring Lake, three blocks from the beach.
Shamues and friend Bob Simpson said Simpson’s home has minimal damage.
“A few damaged shrubs and trees,” said Simpson of his damage.
The two spent Saturday night sleeping in the basement, more afraid of the tornado warning and trees falling through the windows than hurricane flooding.
“It was intense and sounded like a freight train,” said Simpson of the storm.
Monday evening Bill and Susan Sachs of Brick were enjoying the weather in Spring Lake - both relieved that the storm was not worse.
“It was not as bad as predicted. We personally don’t have any damage and our house kept power the whole time,” said Bill Sachs. “We’re glad it’s over. The boardwalk is bad but it was a big storm.”
Ann McCormick who lives on Ocean Avenue in Belmar was not as lucky.
“Debris washed up in our front yard. Foam from the ocean was about five feet high on the side of our house and we have about a foot and a half of water in our basement,” said McCormick, who spent Monday evening cleaning up. “An old wall that was buried from the boardwalk washed up on our front yard. I've pushed a lot back into the street now.”
Sean Murphy of Shark River Hills is still without power and his friend Frank Murphy of Belmar, who also owns a house in Spring Lake Heights and another in Belmar is too still without power.
“Today we were able to get to both houses and they both have about two feet of water in each,” said Murphy.
Marta Koovits and Steve Toucher live in the same house, five blocks from the beach in Belmar and they are left with just a few leaks and a basement full of water.
“The storm was built up for a good reason,” said Toucher.
“It was pretty wicked but not as bad as we thought,” said Koovtis.
William Neil of West Belmar was out checking out the damage around town after the storm. As he looks over the lake in Lake Como, the damage caused by Irene is evident in overflowing of the lake.
“This is the first time I’ve been out here since the storm,” said Neil. “I don’t think it was as bad as it could have been but this is the first time I remember the eye of a hurricane coming around here.” Neil, 53 has lived in West Belmar since 1983.
“Fortunately I don’t have any damage. Two doors down from me by a youth center, a tree fell and hit a chimney,” said Neil.
