Our founder, Rev. Stokes, had a close brush with damage as a tree fell right in front of him. He didn’t flinch. Tough old guy. Photo by Paul Goldfinger
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NOTE: This article was updated at 1 p.m. Thursday.
By Paul Goldfinger, Mary Walton and Charles Layton
The lack of gasoline is becoming an emergency concern in Ocean Grove, throughout Neptune Township and across a huge part of New Jersey. It threatens to leave us stranded without transportation, but it also threatens in another way: People fortunate enough to have home generators are running out of the gas that runs them.
No one knows where to get gas. Mayor Randy Bishop said word got around on Thursday that Hess stations were selling gas, and people started descending upon those stations.
Waiting to fill containers at the Hess station in Bradley Beach. Paul Goldfinger photo
We witnessed this at the Hess station at 1009 Main Street in Bradley Beach. People arrived early in the morning carrying yellow and red gas cans. Those in cars formed a line that ran north on Main Street, then onto Corlies Avenue and then onto Memorial.
The station was not actually pumping gas. People were waiting for a generator that was in the process of being installed. When we were there, at about 11 a.m., cars had already been waiting for at least four hours. At one point a rap performance broke out among those waiting.
Mayor Bishop said the Township would continue to impose a curfew from 7 at night until 7 in the morning. Asked the purpose of the curfew, he said, “Have you been on the roads at night? It’s like playing dodge ball on the streets.” Another reason for the curfew is to prevent looting, he said. Some looting has already been reported in Shark River Hills, which suffered the most storm damage of any Neptune neighborhood.
Bishop said the total storm damage suffered in Neptune is estimated at between $60 million and $75 million. “That’s significant,” Bishop said. “If you think about it, it’s twice our municipal budget.” There has been no specific damage estimate yet for Ocean Grove, although Camp Meeting Administrator Ralph delCampo said Thursday that only about 25 percent of the boardwalk appeared to be salvageable.
Even in the daytime, streets are a bit of a free-for-all. There are no traffic lights, and police are not present at most intersections. Police have closed many streets, meaning people cannot take some of their familiar routes to get from here to there.
There was hardly any traffic on Thursday morning, even along Route 33. This was undoubtedly due to the gasoline shortage. A few stations along the Garden State Parkway did have generator power — and therefore could pump gas — but state police were forming people into huge waiting lines. Those stations providing gas only had super, at $4.50 a gallon.
Apparently only a few major food stores are open in our general area: Wegmans, Food Town and ShopRite. Costco and Wallmart are also open now. Wegmans closed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday to save its generators. On Thursday morning people arrived in its parking lot expecting it to open at 6 a.m., but it didn’t open until 7. There were lines.
Many were coming to Wegmans to charge their devices and to use the Internet — it is one of the few places where that can be done. The store was limiting each person to 30 minutes at an electrical outlet.
In Ocean Grove on Thursday morning, Main Avenue was shut down. The only stores open were the flower shop and the hardware store, and they were dark inside. No one had power. Even the Barbaric Bean was closed this morning.
The Neptune Municipal Building opened on Thursday. And the Township set up a “command post” on South Riverside Drive in Shark River Hills, which was being manned by the mayor and others. It was hoped that people would be able to register for FEMA assistance right there.
Neptune Township Clerk Rick Cuttrell said in spite of the lack of power next week’s election will go forward. He said most polling places are in fire stations and other places that have generator power. In other polling places the Township will make arrangements, he said.
Bishop said the Township Committee meeting scheduled for November 8 has been cancelled. instead, a Saturday November 10 meeting is planned, which will be totally dedicated to the storm. “The governing body will take action on a variety of resolutions that we need to pass to continue with recovery,” Bishop said.
Regarding our FEMA status, the entire state of New Jersey has been declared a disaster area. Assistant Business Administrator Vito Gadaleta said we are in two FEMA categories at present: Category A, which is for debris removal, and Category B, which has to do with protective measures such as police protection. For other categories we have had partial but not yet full declarations of disaster.
As for property damage, Gadaleta said, “People need to reach out to their insurance carriers first.” This would be important later in dealing with FEMA.
To read our Wednesday story on the storm damage and recovery, click here.
Note to WISHER. The CMA has been working 28 hours a day. Their presence is everywhere. They have opened the comm. rm. for help or elec. input, their people are on constant alert and guard, Ralph has probably had no sleep in 48 hours. They have organized a clean up to start today.
Asher, the water only made it to New York. Broadway and Pennsylvania are fine. Since I don’t know which one your house is, I would say any damage you may have would be wind related but most of the homes in this area did very well. Good luck!
News on gasoline from the Borough of Mountain Lakes in Morris County:
GASOLINE: The Hess Station on Route 46 in Mountain Lakes, NJ will be operating as soon as they receive a fuel delivery. We urge all residents to conserve fuel and access any local gas station currently in operation while fuel is available. It has been reported to Borough Officials that two to three tankers have arrived in New Jersey ports and that the current issue is powering the pipeline. As of 4:30 pm today (11/01) efforts were being made to supply generator power to the pipeline. It is also important to note that the Department of Environmental Protection has removed restrictions allowing for the out of state transportation of fuel to New Jersey.
How is the apartment building at 151 Stockton? I lived in apartment 8 (sub-basement facing Main St.) from 1997-2003. My mom was in the apartment until 2005.
Has anyone seen or heard about Phyllis Quinn. She lives on Embury Avenue. I have been trying to call her to no avail. I’ve also tried to call the council office but no luck. If you see her please tell her to call Tammy if she can and let me know she’s OK. Thanks.
I just wanted you to know that you have an appreciative reader on the West Coast. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I spent four years on the Jersey Shore from 1992 to 1996. My home was the renovated hotel-turned-condos at 1 Ocean Avenue in Ocean Grove. Having experienced first-hand the big nor’easter in 1992, I feel a particularly close connection to what is happening now. Your publication makes me feel like I am right there with you, walking down the boardwalk and surveying the damage. Thanks for keeping me updated on a very special place.
I never new about your blog until Sandy.
I am the fourth generation of my family to be blessed with Ocean Grove as an annual vacation destination, my adult children the fifth. My grandma brought us down in the early sixties from Schenectady, NY. by bus or train. When I was old enough to drive, I returned the favor. For years we stayed in the Surf Avenue House with the Warner family. More recently in the Ocean Pride. My daughter was one of the last to get married in the boardwalk pavilion. One of my biggest regrets is that my kids never got to walk down the autoless streets of the Grove on a Sunday morning. Or, perhaps, take in the “cuisine” of the Sampler or Grand Atlantic. I thank you for the information and photos of the damage. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the Grove and all those suffering through the effects of the storm. I have every intention of returning to the Grove for as long as I am able. The Grove brings a peace to my soul that just cant be found elsewhere.
Thank you so much for your excellent blog – the photos and writing are outstanding. My heart lives in Ocean Grove, even though my body can join it only occasionally. The storm devastated OG, but knowing how many people care deeply about it I am confident that it will recover. Thank you again for bringing all of us into the scene.
Thanks you for keeping us informed about Ocean Grove. I frequent the religious community at 21 Main Avenue, the old Grand Hotel with the statue in front, but haven’t been able to reach anyone to find out about their safety and well-being. Also concerned about our other religious house at 20 Pittman. If possible can you let us know the status of our religious community?
Does anyone know if water has entered houses on Clark Avenue? We cannot get down there and we are worried sick. Thank you for any help you can provide us.
Thank you Blogfinger for providing this forum for information, photos, and stories. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my OG neighbors and friends (I am in Washington State right now, but my home is in OG).
Thank you so much for the news and photos. We’ve been Ocean Grove summer regulars for many years and have been searching unsuccessfully for news of the storm’s impact on our favorite NJ town. We saw the comments regarding Abbott Avenue. Did the surge inundate the Lillagaard Tea Room? How did the back parts of the tent units hold up? How about the bath houses near the pier?
Even if polling places have power how will people get to these locations? Many folks have evacuated and cannot get back to vote. This is true throughout New Jersey! How can we have an election when almost 1 million people may not get to vote?
I was on Pitman yesterday and the houses on that block looked fine. Houses closer to the beach from 23 seemed to be in fine shape too.
Hello. A good friend of mine lives at 23 Pitman. I can’t get in touch with her (she doesn’t have a mobile and has no power) and am worried. Is her house still standing? I spoke with her Saturday night, and they had no plans on leaving. I can’t even find out if there was a mandatory evacuation. Oy. Anything you can tell me is appreciated – OG is neglected in the press, which has been frustrating!
MANY thanks!!
BULK NOTICE: As you put out your household furnishings for bulk pickup, please try to separate metals, TVs and electronics from the rest of the bulk. Your cooperation is much appreciated.
I just want to thank you for the detail and the photos you’re providing. I’ve only been able to speak with my parents once since the storm hit and reading your blog has helped me know what’s going on around them. I live on the west coast and feel so helpless – even though I can’t be in touch with them, your information has given me some measure of connectedness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am trying to find info on the condition of the block my home is on. I would appreciate telephone contact, if possible. My number is 212 662 7772 and the block in question is Broadway at Pennsylvania. Thank you.
Paul, Mary and Charles — Looks like you are providing an invaluable service to many, many people. Glad to know you are safe and sound, too.
I know they are a private organization, but it would have been nice to see a CMA presence in town. They own all the land, and it makes them seem like a fair weather friend. It reminds me of the importance of the prayer of St. Francis, as well.
You can call 1-877-652-1148 if you know that a friend was evacuated to Monmouth University shelter. They have a list of names given by the Red Cross that is updated every several hours. God Bless all my Ocean Grove neighbors.
Thank you so much for keeping us posted about Ocean Grove.
Please take more pics and upload them as I’m so worried about the town.
First, thank you Blogfinger for the invaluable service you have provided to the Ocean Grove community. My wife and I are new comers to OG (we just bought our home at 56 Heck last month). We love OG and the people and our hearts go out to all that have lost or damaged property. We came down on Tuesday PM to check on the house and we are very fortunate that we did not sustain any damage. Although the boardwalk and pier have major damage, it is amazing that OG looks pretty good. Everyone stay strong. We will get thru this and rebuild our town.
For anyone driving into the area — we drove from new york to highlands to check on our house — please fill up on gas before you go into New Jersey. Most gas stations are closed and those that are open have long, long lines. A neighbor said she waited 2 1/2 hrs in line. The traffic lights are all out so congestion is a nightmare. I really wish authorities and news reports would tell people these things — less people driving around would be such a help. We saw emergency vehicles that were stuck in traffic.
Prayers and hugs to all –
It’s not called “God’s Square Mile” for nothing! We have spent many happy weeks on Ocean Pathway, the 2nd home of our son and daughter-in-law, and are so relieved that the properties on Pathway have been blessed with very little damage (thanks for the Pathway photograph). We have been sending our prayers to all those in OG from our village in Monmouthshire, UK and look forward to seeing all again. May God Bless you and keep you.
We have power in our Montclair house should you need a charge.
Contact Susan at oceangrove43@aol.com
Last night around 12 midnight I saw lights on in the Auditorium. First sign of ANY light or anyone even trying to restore power in the area since the storm hit. I know its a a historic landmark, but why so late?
I was at Abbott Ave (west of Pilgrim) Tuesday. Neptune had just “sand-plowed” the street. The workers were working quickly cleaning up branches, trees and sand. It looked like the water surge came to about the middle of the block. There were bench and boardwalk remnants that had been pushed this far inland. I didn’t get any water in basement or house but neighbors next door and across the street did. It looked like our block fared really well. We got lucky. Thank you Blogfinger!
Thank you so much for the updates and pictures of our awesome Ocean Grove. We are so sad to see the damage. But for sure we know it will be restored as all those who love Ocean Grove will see to it. We pray for all of you and hope this will soon be just another chapter in the history of Ocean Grove. Bobbi and Ron Pregmon
Thank you. Be well!
Praying for you all, and hoping that everyone not only stays civil, but loves and helps their fellow man. Now is the time to shine!