Shore Town Ravaged By Sandy Says It's 95% Ready For Summer
By David Madden
LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J. (CBS) - You've heard the message often enough from towns down the shore in the months after Hurricane Sandy: They'll be ready for tourists come Memorial Day. One of the harder hit areas now has the numbers to back that claim up.
Long Beach Island seems to be the dividing line; hammered to the north but a lesser hit south. In fact, south of Atlantic City, there's hardly a sign Sandy came a calling.
LBI businesses sustained some serious damage in late October. Now, mid-May, things are looking up.
"We're looking at 95 percent ready for the summer. Popular restaurants are back. Events are being planned and it really is a testimony to our visitors because we wanna make sure this tradition continues," says Lori Pepenella with the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce.
That would include motels on the island.
Private homes are another thing, with insurance issues and the like holding up some repair work.
If you're looking to rent one, best check with a realtor soon.
