Henri Damage: Murphy Says Authorities Will 'Do Whatever It Is We Need To Do' To Get N.J. Residents Back On Their Feet
LIVINGSTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy took a look Monday at the damage from Henri in hard-hit neighborhoods in Middlesex County.
Heavy rains caused flooding and damage to cars and homes in New Jersey, where more than 100 people had to be rescued in one location.
As CBS2's Christina Fan reports, a day after Mobile 2 captured harrowing scenes along Railroad Avenue in Jamesburg of totaled cars and stranded residents, a flooded grocery store is still pumping water from its basement.
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A few doors down at 4 Boys Ice Cream, Peter Becker and his two sons are power-washing the ground, scrubbing away the mud and muck.
"We emptied the store, we're down to the ground already. The big thing is we have to check for electrical problem," Becker said.
Business owners say one row of stores has flooded at least four times in the last 20 years. Mary Jo Giancola, who owns the Senior's Barber Shop building, says water gushes down the hills, overwhlems the lake and floods the street.
"Every time it rains significantly, we are washed out. It's pathetic. My tenant's out of business right now, until we get the building into shape," Giancola said.
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Murphy visited the hardest-hit regions of Middlesex County Monday morning, promising the state's support.
"Locally, county, and state, we will stay at this and do whatever it is we need to do to get people back on their feet. We will work with the feds," Murphy said.
In Helmetta, sleepless families returned at the crack of dawn to a command center, restlessly waiting to learn if they can return to their evacuated neighborhood.
PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Henri Brings Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding To Tri-State
Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worse after seeing aerial photos of their flooded homes.
"A neighbor was able to get to my house and open the doors and check it out, and it's just ground level water now. But he said that we do have a lot of water damage," said Helmetta resident Laura Hettinger.
CBS2's Christina Fan contributed to this report.