Posted in Blogfinger News | Tagged Citizen reports from the front line | 51 Comments

51 Responses

1. on August 28, 2011 at 7:24 pm JamieOG

   DEVO – I went there this afternoon at about high tide and the water/surf was coming up to where it was two-days before the storm. So I don’t think much was lost. Dunes were somewhat degraded but still there. Only breaches seemed to be where, well, there were (intentional) gaps in the dunes before the storm. I noticed the snack stand wasn’t there but I wonder if it was removed before the storm. The beach bathroom building shifted back a few feet but was upright and not really damaged. Pier still standing – heard it only lost a few floorboards. Boardwalk had some sand on it but less than what was there after the December blizzard. Didn’t see any loose/missing boards or railings between the beach office and Ocean Pathway. Beach and boards seemed to weather the storm fine.

   
   
2. on August 28, 2011 at 6:03 pm DEVO

   Can someone please report on whether the beach suffered any errosion?

   
   
3. on August 28, 2011 at 1:05 pm Anonymous

   Has anyone taken a look at the first block of Franklin ave?

   
   
4. on August 28, 2011 at 12:00 pm Meredith

   One small tree has come down in Fireman’s Park, otherwise things look good from my windows! The awnings & koi to my west side are all fine, & the magnolia’s to my east are still standing tall. Its still a bit windy, just hoping the giant tree to my north stays upright!

   
   
5. on August 28, 2011 at 11:49 am pbenjay

   Broadway was a “lake” briefly last night or should I say early this morning. We stayed as we were officially west (only 2 houses!) of the mandatory evacuation area. We had power all night and thank God, no downed tree damage, just a whole bunch of leaves in the yard and a mound of sand on my sidewalk. Just came back from the boardwalk which is intact but the dunes are not! The fencing is up on the boardwalk, the benches are scattered around and where there were 5 steps to the beach from the boardwalk, there are now two! Also there is a salt water pond between the dunes and the boardwalk stretching from the beach office to the Broadway entrance. Will try to send you some pics.

   
   
6. on August 28, 2011 at 11:45 am Janet

   Cookman Avenue report: Very Large tree branches down on Cookman Avenue (west) and in the park near the Sea Breeze village houses. At least these large, old trees stood their ground. Not so for the poor old Oak in front of Pentz Realtlors on Main Avenue.

   
   
7. on August 28, 2011 at 11:34 am Phil

   Thank You Paul and all at Blogfinger…this site is fantastic…a real lifesaver for us part time OGers…we love our cottage in OG and spend as much time as we can in OG…Blogfinger is our rapid connection to what draws us to OG…it has been a blessing during Irene…Thanks for all of your effort in producing this blog!

   
   
8. on August 28, 2011 at 10:50 am Blogfinger

   Thank you Marsha. When we first planned Blogfinger, we always said that citizen reporters would be essential for our success. This hurricane has validated that idea. We are very pleased and appreciative of all the citizen input. Paul Goldfinger, editor-in-chief.

   
   
9. on August 28, 2011 at 10:49 am Collene Jude

   How is Ocean Pathway?

   
   
10. on August 28, 2011 at 10:47 am Blogfinger

    yes

    
    
11. on August 28, 2011 at 10:35 am CARL

    FROM THE “MOUNT” AT MOUNT TABOR WAY.
    SUNDAY, 28th, THE SUN WOKE ME AT 8AM.
    AMAZING, NO LOSS OF ELECTRIC, NO CABLE OUTAGE,
    NO WATER ON THE BASEMENT, NO TREE ON TOP OF THE CAR, AND THE MANDEVILLAS ARE STILL HANGING ON STRONGLY.
    AT 9AM ON MY WALKED TO THE BOARDWALK, I COULD SEE THE TOP OF AN OCEAN WAVE FROM FROM PENNSYLVANIA AVE.
    BOARDWALK LOOKED GOOD, TENTS LOOKED OK (some tares), WESLEY LAKE AT NEW JERSEY WAS HIGH, WATER IN STREET IN ASBURY AND DEBRIS ON SIDEWALKS (LAKE AVE) INDICATING WATER WAS THERE.
    CARL

    
    
12. on August 28, 2011 at 10:33 am Robert & Eileen Hogan

    Is there power there in OG?

    
    
13. on August 28, 2011 at 10:32 am ted aanensen

    Sun came out for as few minutes, looks like we may have some showers but nothing major left for OG. A nice summer breeze seems to be drying things out— so far so good !

    
    
14. on August 28, 2011 at 10:32 am Marsha

    Cannot thank Blogfinger and the Ocean Grove citizen reporters enough for all of their insightful reporting. I’m an OG part-timer and relied upon your reports throughout the day and evening. Thanks!

    
    
15. on August 28, 2011 at 10:18 am Ira

    Does OG have power?

    
    
16. on August 28, 2011 at 10:04 am appleation

    10:00A.M. The bells are ringing at the Big A . The sun is out. Bright and shiny in OG. Stay tuned.

    
    
17. on August 28, 2011 at 9:58 am Michael DiCosimo (Heck Ave)

    All safe here on Heck, glad we stuck out the storm. It was a little rough overnight, but no significant flooding. Wish I could say the same for the beach and boardwalk, they are in pretty rough shape, but at least the damage to the actual boardwalk looks minimal. Hope everyone made it through ok!

    
    
18. on August 28, 2011 at 9:49 am Jane Killilea

    Thank you to all for your reports….very helpful…Jane

    
    
19. on August 28, 2011 at 9:26 am Blogfinger

    Word is that Broadway did not flood (so far) Paul

    
    
20. on August 28, 2011 at 9:25 am Blogfinger

    I heard that Fletcher Lake did not overflow; nor did Wesley Lake, but fresh water flooding can still occur as the rains continue. Evidently the high tide surge didn’t do much in OG, but lower areas like Spring Lake are hurting. Paul @Blogfinger

    
    
21. on August 28, 2011 at 9:21 am Anonymous

    How is Broadway?

    
    
22. on August 28, 2011 at 9:11 am Anonymous

    Thanks for the updates, Did Fletcher overflow onto Central?

    
    
23. on August 28, 2011 at 9:08 am Phil

    Sunday 9:00 am. Thanks so much for these reports!! Thank you Joan for your extensive tour report. And thankyou Paul for providing the venue!! For those of us who love (and would love to live fulltime in OG) this is a lifeline of info. We thank the Good Lord for what appears to be His protection of our community. Thank You!! Would love to see any photos if it is safe enough to do. Sounds like my hope of Fletcher Lake staying in its boundaries might be true. We in northern NJ are still being battered with wind and rain.

    
    
24. on August 28, 2011 at 9:05 am Appleation

    Sunday 7:45 am The night was uneventful on the North End. Lots of wind and rain but the streets are almost dry right now. The blue tarp covering the burned house on Atlantic Ave. is about to blow off and an electric transformer somewhere nearby is making a sound so I guess that our electrical time may be limited.The tents on Central,Bath and Pilgrim Pathway are ok. Some awnings have fallen but no visible damage. Very few tree limbs. The beach looks fine,the surf is fine with large rollers. Civil Defense people are on duty at the beachfront. Wesley Lake is in it’s right place.So far so good.

    
    
25. on August 28, 2011 at 8:48 am Joan Venezia

    Sunday 7 am: We are doing fine on Mt. Hermon Way. It is noisy but it is from the wind not rain. Last nite when I went to bed (just after midnite) the rain had definitely slowed up and same now almost a light rain. The wind is blowing good but I just stepped out and across the street and not bad. The only real damage that I can see is the small horse chestnut in Fireman’s Park is uprooted and leaning over (Paul the horse chestnuts on you side of the park are ok). Thankfully all other trees look fine. There are leaves and very small branches (and other tree debris) scattered about but only one small limb is down with in my eyesight. Also since the rain seems to have slowed down there is no more gathering of water in front of the house. Best of all we have electricity!

    Al just got up and wants to take a ride to Ocean Ave. We are off – Well the wind is blowing the rain so hard I do not want to get out of the car. The wind blowing and rain hitting my face from the open window on the ocean side of the van is enough. The Ocean is roaring – waves are breaking over the fishing pier! (Pier and the fishing club structure at the end of the pier look ok) I can’t see how far up on the beach the ocean has come but I am sure it is far up. No significant damage on Ocean avenue.

    Better yet Broadway is not flooded! After going into the parking lot by Fletcher lake, it looks like a trickle of the ocean has come up over the boardwalk and brought some sand into the parking lot. It is almost high tide so I think Broadway is out of the woods but not sure. The only significant tree damage I saw was a large branch down and completely blocking the road in front of Thornley chapel and a medium to large tree completely broken down in front of the bldg next to OG trading company. It is down over the sidewalk in front of that realtor so no bldg got hit. Lots of tree debris and small branches everywhere – I could not see any house damage but I must admit I was watching the ocean and the lake when I was on Ocean and Broadway. Main Ave looks very good to me.

    I think we in OG are doing pretty good so far. Will see if the wind doesn’t do much more damage later today but for now I think OG is doing ok. Take care and I hope we keep the electricity since it flickered while I was typing. Joan From Mount Hermon way across from Fireman’s Park.

    
    
26. on August 28, 2011 at 8:47 am George Beecroft

    Sunday 8 am It’s high tide and the waves haven’t crashed over the boardwalk. Trucks are driving on Ocean Avenue and there is less water on the street in front of the inn than we have had in past storms.
    TV is saying if we make it through high tide with no problems, ocean water will recede for the rest of the storm in NJ.
    No visible signs of damage from rain or wind. The worst appears to be over.
    Irene was a well-behaved guest but we will be glad to see her leave.

    
    
27. on August 28, 2011 at 8:15 am appleation

    Sunday 7:45A.M. The night was uneventful on the North End. Lots of wind and rain but the streets are almost dry right now. The blue tarp covering the burned house on Atlantic Ave. is about to blow off and an electric transformer somewhere nearby is making a sound so I guess that our electrical time may be limited.The tents on Central,Bath and Pilgrim Pathway are ok. Some awnings have fallen but no visible damage. Very few tree limbs. The beach looks fine,the surf is fine with large rollers. Civil Defense people are on duty at the beachfront. Wesley Lake is in it’s right place.So far so good.

    
    
28. on August 28, 2011 at 5:59 am Scott T

    Hoping everyone in OG had a dry night inside. Titanic.. Let’s hope it doesn’t float down your street this am.

    
    
29. on August 28, 2011 at 1:30 am Ogrover

    1:30 AM Tree uprooting on Mt. ZIon touching power lines. Fire and Police alerted.

    
    
30. on August 28, 2011 at 1:02 am Phil

    How is Fletcher Lake doing? I am praying that our little house doesn’t flood.

    
    
31. on August 28, 2011 at 12:02 am Chris

    Anybody with an update on conditions in OG?

    
    
32. on August 27, 2011 at 11:20 pm Jane Killilea

    Anyone near the tents….around the auditorium…Mt Zion Way…..please give update….thanks……………..Jane

    
    
33. on August 27, 2011 at 10:31 pm sue

    Fletcher lakes water about 930 was getting ready to cover the footbridge. The rain really hasnt even started yet. Not so good.
    My roof is leaking badly , I hope the tarps I put on will stay.

    
    
34. on August 27, 2011 at 10:27 pm DEVO

    There has been no additional comments since 8:30. Is power now out in the Grove? Anyone been in cell phone touch with folks tere? We need news!

    
    
35. on August 27, 2011 at 10:24 pm Anonymous

    fletcher lake is almost rising over the footbridge. not good. drove past it 930

    
    
36. on August 27, 2011 at 9:59 pm Chris

    Mount Tabor Way and New Jersey Avenue…This side of town is very quiet. The wind is picking up somewhat, but otherwise everything seems okay – the streets are draining well and no power outages yet. Hope it stays that way!

    
    
37. on August 27, 2011 at 9:33 pm JamieOG

    I traded some emails with a meteorologist and his opinion was that give the projections, the water would probably only rise about 5ft above sea level. The boardwalk, at least per Google Earth, is at 13 ft elevation at the foot of Main at Ocean Ave. Add another 3ft for higher than usual high tides and we’re still only looking at about 8ft. I’ll make the assumption that 15-20ft waves might push some water over the boardwalk and onto Ocean but maybe we’re looking at ’92 Nor’easter effects or less, at least with regard to the surge. Highest coastal surge so far was in NC – 4.5 ft. Higher surges were recorded inland in sounds/bays/rivers, which is why there is such worry about bodies like NY Harbor and the Raritan River. The funnel effect leads to higher surges, apparently.

    Crossing fingers. If the worst surge problems we get out of this are a damaged boardwalk and pier, I’d call us lucky.

    Now, the wind is another story. That still worries me – a lot. And no matter what the surge is or if winds hit 75mph (they probably won’t), my guess is we’re looking at widespread power outages that will extend for at least 2-days.

    
    
38. on August 27, 2011 at 8:28 pm ted a

    Saturday 8:30 p.m.: Watching Titanic with my folks and Gayle hoping it isn’t a precursor of things to come

    
    
39. on August 27, 2011 at 8:16 pm Ogrover

    Saturday, 8:10 pm. Auditorium area. All seems ok right now. Streets draining well, the wind is picking up though. High tide, rough surf and there is still beach! Tents are beginning to whip in the wind. Keeping fingers crossed on that. Wesley Lake seems ok for the time being.

    
    
40. on August 27, 2011 at 8:15 pm Grace

    Saturday, 8:15 pm. Worried about where to park my car – near Webb and Pennsylvania – near the church – do I need to worry over here???

    
    
41. on August 27, 2011 at 7:37 pm Michael DiCosimo (Heck Ave)

    Saturday, 7:37 pm. Made my way up to the beach for the “high tide” – the tide looks like it’s up slightly higher than normal, but barely. Let’s hope with the storm surge that will accompany tomorrow morning’s high tide doesn’t cause even more flooding. It’s getting a little rough up by the boardwalk, winds have picked up significantly and the waves are already pretty high up on the fishing pier. I saw multiple red fire vans cruising around, not sure if they are OGFD vans or not.

    
    
42. on August 27, 2011 at 7:27 pm appleation

    So it’s 7:15 and all is well on the North End with the end of a band of rain and wind. Our “sleep over date” from across the street will arrive soon with videos. We”re hoping the electric holds up, otherwise it’s the three of us and an iPad. In Florida it seems like they turn off all the electric at about 10 o’clock. I guess it’s a detox thing. A Camp Meeting truck just passed by. I can’t imagine what they’re checking on.
    We’re all being very good!
    P.S. All the ac’s in this house are still in the windows,but they’re all on the sides
    of the house so they’re somewhat protected. Anyway,it”s too late now.

    
    
43. on August 27, 2011 at 7:17 pm AMM

    Saturday, 7:17 pm. Broadway looked pretty awful during the first heavy rains (north side). The township removed some debris with heavy equipment. It looked like a tree partially came down. Impressed with how fast they responded.

    
    
44. on August 27, 2011 at 6:52 pm Paul @Blogfinger

    Saturday,6:52 p.m. My son lived in St. Thomas (USVI), and whenever they had a storm threat, they were advised to remove those units. They are held in place by a flimsy support system, and a gust of 100 mph could blow the unit back into the house. This would possible cause a dangerous situation with high power winds blowing into the house.

    I would suggest removing all but one (for the kids to stay cool). In my house we removed all three before we left.

    
    
45. on August 27, 2011 at 6:36 pm Nancy

    Bless your hearts Ocean Grovers – we left our summer house for our home in PA but we are with you in spirit.

    
    
46. on August 27, 2011 at 6:32 pm JamieOG

    Saturday 6:30 pm: Riding it out on the West End of town, Lawrence and Embury. Don’t think flooding is anything to worry about here. Biggest concern is wind. Car – tank is full – is parked right across the street but not in range of any trees/telephone poles. Tied/weighted everything in the yard down, brought in the stuff I could.

    Mostly concerned about the wind (since we likely won’t flood we can retreat to the basement – we don’t have any rooms in the house with no windows, not even a hallway) and the power outages – have two pre-K kids (and a puppy) and days-long power outage will not be fun. Stocked up with plenty of food, water, ice, and batteries. Did not tape up the windows after I read in multiple places that it doesn’t really help much. Most of our windows are quite narrow and all are double-pane so hope that helps.

    Would y’all keep window air conditioners in place? Taking them out now would be a mess since it’s pouring. We have five. Worried about the kids getting too hot and uncomfortable…don’t want them to have to deal with that in addition to being scared for 12-18 hours.

    
    
47. on August 27, 2011 at 6:24 pm Wayne Edward May

    For all our friends in Ocean Grove: The Bradley Beach NJ Tatler set up a web cam at Main Street and Brinley Ave. Visit http://thebradleybeachnjtatler.blogspot.com/

    Hope all stay safe and dry.

    
    
48. on August 27, 2011 at 5:15 pm Michael DiCosimo (Heck Ave)

    Saturday, 5:15 p.m. We are on the first block of Heck Avenue and we are one of three people that will be “riding” out the storm. All the cars have been removed from the first two blocks of Heck. Our house has all front windows boarded up. The main concern here is that much talked about “storm surge” and rain that will be on the way. We are obviously hoping that the water flowing down Heck will stay under a foot – it will be interesting to see what we see up at the boardwalk at the 7pm high tide. Hope everyone is holding on well!

    
    
49. on August 27, 2011 at 4:23 pm appleation

    Sat. 4:00 P.M. Reporting from Surf Ave. The first heavy rain ran off well.The wind wasn’t bad and did no damage. All the tents on the North side of the Auditorium and along Central appear to be ok, Wesley Lake is fine. All is very quiet on this side of town. (Now.)

    
    
50. on August 27, 2011 at 4:09 pm Ogrover

    Saturday,4:00 PM – Auditorium area. Most of the tents haven’t been taken down, but the area is evacuated. Wesley Lake is at a fairly low level at the moment, and the streets seem to be draining well. More and heavier rain is coming!

    
    
51. on August 27, 2011 at 3:27 pm Connie Ogden

    Saturday 3:00 p.m.: Connie lives on the 2nd beach block of Broadway in a mandatory evacuation zone. She was the last to leave from that block. One couple refuses to leave the first beach block.She said, “Everyone is gone.” Connie is staying with a friend at the north-end of town.

    Neptune Township dropped off a pallet of sandbags for the residents to use. Connie checked Fletcher Lake and noted that the level had been lowered and the ocean outflow was working fine. She noticed that there were many people on the boardwalk snapping photos and watching the surf. Some tents were already down.