Some Disgruntled By Slow Cleanup Process After Storms In Gloucester County
By Diana Rocco
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (CBS) -- The cleanup has started in Gloucester County, but the process has been slow.
Bob Finneghan says, "I don't think everybody realized how bad the storm was."
Finneghan was at his son's graduation when the storm hit. He had to navigate through downed wires and trees to make it home.
He discovered a tree down in his front yard, narrowly missing the house. Now, his family is looking at another three days without power.
"You can't get a hold of anybody and when you do, it's 'we're working on it, we're working on it.'"
Four major arteries throughout the township are shutdown with trees and power lines blocking the streets, leaving traffic piling up on back roads.
Washington Township Mayor Barbara Wallace says, "Quite a shock to the township. The trees are encased in lines, blocking the roads."
Tree companies can't get to work until the lines have been cleared by Atlantic City Electric and many say their response has been slow.
"We could have had open roads today. We weren't able to get cooperation."
Street lights are out and nearly forty homes had trees in them. Police and fire have been working around the clock and resources are stretched thin.
Lt. Dennis Sims Jr., of Washington Township Police, says, "We're trying to get people to stay on main roads."
Chief John Hoffman, with the Washington Township Fire Department, adds, "We've handled 200 types of emergencies."
Throughout Gloucester County, businesses remained closed without power, forcing most to drive to neighboring towns for gas, food and a hot cup of coffee.
Eric Cospito is without power until Sunday and needs gas to power the generator.
"It's getting warm, but at least the generator is keeping the food going."