NJ Offers Limited Aid To Shore Flood Victims
SEA ISLE CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- Almost two weeks after flood waters roared through the back bays of many South Jersey shore communities, state officials set up shop in Wildwood and Sea Isle City to offer what assistance they can to affected homeowners and businesses.
They're still telling horror stories down the shore, although the anger many expressed about state response in the wake of the back bay flooding seems to have receded with the water. From Economic Development to Community Affairs, even private agencies like Catholic Charities and the Red Cross are offering aid.
Sea Isle City Councilman William Kehner has lived here for 45 years, and feels the state is doing what it can, right now. "I would say yes at this point because, until a disaster is declared, there's limitations on what everybody can do," Kehner told KYW Newsradio.
In fact, more than a few people wondered out loud where the Federal Emergency Management Agency was. Kehner says the feds have already been here, doing preliminary damage assessments. They can't offer official help until the White House approves a request for a disaster declaration. A spokesman for the Governor's office says they're still gathering data to use in a potential application for federal assistance, although Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno did stop at both locations today.
Most of those showing up were like Mike Monichetti, a longtime resident who owns a seafood business here. "I'm just coming here to see what they're offering," he said. "I mean, I'm pretty much hands on. We do a lot of the cleanup and fixing up ourselves."
