Jersey Shore Flooding Brings Back Memories Of Sandy
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- They've been through this before at the Jersey Shore after Superstorm Sandy. And while the flooding this time isn't as devastating, it still is bad.
This weekend the storm surge from the winter storm ruined the floors and furniture Barbara Reger replaced just a few years ago after Superstorm Sandy.
Reger's neighbor in North Wildwood marked Sandy's water level on the tool cabinet in his shed, and this storm came close.
Shore officials say the storm damaged hundreds, if not thousands of properties. And then there's the beaches.
New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Commissioner Bob Martin from the Dept. of Environmental Protection toured several beach towns. In the end, the Jersey Shore could get federal disaster assistance.
"When we meet the 12 million dollar threshold in damages it will then go in a request as quickly as possible to the federal government for whatever damages are appropriate under their formula," Guadagno said.
Schools were closed or delayed in districts across the state as cleanup efforts continue after the blizzard. In Montclair, the normally bustling Hillside Elementary School sat quiet Monday morning.
Melanie Oster said she cried when she heard schools would be closed, but her 10-year-old daughter said she and her brother started screaming and dancing.
"I cried hysterically and threw myself on the floor because it's been a long weekend," Oster told CBS2's Vanessa Murdock.
For school teacher Eric McElroy this was a much needed day of downtime.
"There was a lot of snow yesterday so everybody's probably tired, I am tired," he said.
Crews are continuing to cleanup roads across the state after Saturday's storm dumped as much as 30-inches in some parts.
In Newark, which broke a record with more than 28 inches of snow over the weekend, many of the secondary streets were still not plowed early Monday morning, CBS2's Meg Baker reported.
"I couldn't get to work today," a woman who lives on Elm Street told 1010 WINS' Al Jones.
There are two blocks of Elm Street that have not been touched by a plow.
A resident named Gladys said one of the big problems is that one of her neighbors ditched his car in the middle of the street.
"As soon as his car got stuck on Saturday, he parked it, he left and it's been there since," Gladys said.
There's a car under there somewhere. Walnut St in the Ironbound. #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/M1zbkvtdiE
— Al Jones (@aljoneswins) January 25, 2016
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said on Twitter that the city "will work until this is done!"
We were hit hard by this storm want thank Newarkers for their help and patience. We will work until this is done!
— Ras J. Baraka (@rasjbaraka) January 25, 2016
Schools, courts and City Hall are all closed Monday as the city digs out.
Utility Crews Restoring Service
Utility crews continue to restore service to several hundred homes and businesses.
The storm is blamed for the deaths of a 23-year-old mom and her year-old son in Passaic. They died of carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting in a running car that had its tailpipe covered in snow.
Police said the woman's 3-year-old daughter is hospitalized in "very critical condition.''
Jersey Shore Cleans Up
Meanwhile, the Jersey Shore is cleaning up after a powerful one-two punch from the weekend winter storm.
The shore saw not only snow, but also serious coastal flooding.
On Monday, many were breathing a sigh of relief that they made it through the storm virtually unscathed.
Sitting on a bench on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, Michael Tavaglione was counting his blessings. He lives a block from the beach and since Sandy, anytime he hears about a big storm, he can't help but get a little nervous.
"They didn't tell us to evacute so we just hung it and waited it out," he told WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron. "Thank God we fared well,"
NJT Resumes Regular Weekday Rail Service
NJ TRANSIT has resumed regular weekday rail service after a major snowstorm shut the system down.
Rail, light rail and Access Link services are operational Monday with the exception of the Gladstone Branch, where buses are running between Gladstone and Summit.
Bus passengers can expect delays due to local road conditions.
NJ TRANSIT is cross-honoring system-wide.
PATH trains are running. Amtrak is operating on a modified schedule.
Meanwhile, motorists are advised to drive cautiously because of slick spots, especially on highway ramps. New Jersey state troopers responded to 301 crashes and aided 1,635 motorists during the storm.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)