Major Floodwaters Prompting National Guard Evacuations on LBI
Long Beach Police Chief: 'All we're worried about is making people safe.'
At the tip of Long Beach Island, ocean waters may be beginning to meet bay waters, as police, working with the National Guard, scramble to evacuate holdouts off the island.
Long Beach Township Police Chief Anthony Deely told Patch that there are several "pick up" points along the island for people wanting to evacuate, including High Point Volunteer Fire Company, Ship Bottom Police Department, Long Beach Township Police Department, and Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven.
As of this afternoon, more than 100 people have been helped to the pick up points, where they are then transported by National Guard vehicles and busses over the bridge to the Southern Regional evacuation center. He advised people to call for assistance.
"If you are on the island and cannot get to a pick up point, please stay where you are, call the police department, and give us details of where you are, who is there, how many, and give us a contact number." Deely said.
Deely said emergency crews were trying to capitalize on a "limited window" of a "low tide" this afternoon to evacuate more people off the island - although today's low tide was as high as a regular high tide for LBI.
Asked by a Patch reporter whether the ocean has met the bay at any point on the island, he said: "I would say that's a true statement," noting reports of such activity in Holgate. He then confirmed one report that the ocean had breached the dunes in certain parts of the township, but added, "we can't control the rumor mill at this point, all we're worried about is making people safe."
Across the Causeway bridge, Lt. Thomas Dellane told Patch the Southern evacuation center was expecting about another 100 people from the island this afternoon.
He said Stafford police are conducting rescues by boats only in areas like Mud City, Cedar Bonnet Island, and Beach Haven West since these areas are flooded. He said the Township has made about 45 rescues today.
Anyone in need of assistance in evacuating in Stafford should call 609-597-8581.
Anne Cyrgalis
3:52 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Weren't they told to evacuate already and wasn't it mandatory, what's wrong with these people when they tell you to get out, get the hell out.
Danielle
4:00 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
anyone know How bad Beach Haven West is flooded?
Jacqueline
4:57 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
I would like to know about beach haven west also we were under mandatory evacuation order and did as requested by stafford police, has the water gone above the bulkheads and how high? The residents need to know!
Carol Lalli
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
We'd like to know too!! Any news about BHW?? Mill creek rd? Charles blvd?
Tim Lemke
4:46 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
If you have any specific info on Spray Beach, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your reporting. Stay safe.
May Scholle
4:57 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Anyone know how Waretown, New Jersey is looking? Key Harbor Marina and Holiday Harbor Marina?
Colleen Platt
4:59 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Hello all, doing another round of updates in a bit...will ask about all of these areas specifically. Thanks for your comments and stay tuned! - Colleen
michael
6:02 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
@Colleen - any chance you can get an update on the Beach Haven Park area - 98th St. or surrounding areas. Would be very much appreciated.
Thank You!
Glenn Davis
1:05 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Colleen, any news on Holiday Harbor Marina and the boats that were up on land?
Thanks, Glenn
Frank Farella
6:02 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Does anyone have information on the area by Yellowfin or 25th streets in Surf City.
Stacy O'Neill-Slawecki
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
We would like to know. My parents home is 24th and Central in Surf City. Thanks.
Rand Pearsall
6:02 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Would you please let us know where the breach took place in Holgate? We have a house there. Thank you. And please stay safe.
Kim Kuiken
7:19 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Wondering about Holgate. Tebco Terrace
DOUG
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
wiped out
baligirl
7:19 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Any info on north beach? Between Roxie and yellow fin?
John Marquardty
7:44 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
is power out on LBI
Kelly W
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
for those asking about beach haven west, i'm on mill creek and florence. the water is about a foot away from going over the bulkhead. only some minor flooding this way.
l.marr
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Dear Kelly, thank you for posting about bhw, we are on claudia lane and r one of the higher bulkheads u hav eased my mind and am hopeful we weren't flooded, we have a 7-8 ft.leaway from the water level to top of bulkhead. We were hoping to get down there to check things...r they letting residents in up to claudia? Blessings and stay safe, Laura
Donna A
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
thank you Kelly W.
I am on Mill Creek closer to the bay. Are they letting residents back yet
Donna
Ed
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Is the police dept in Stafford okay, my x works there as a dispatcher and can't get a hold of her to make sure she's okay and knows that our son and her daughter are okay and have been moved to her girlfriends mothers house.
Rand Pearsall
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Twitter says 5-6 houses "exposed" in Holgate?
Marci Purcell
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I am also wondering about beach Haven West. Are the houses on the lagoon flooded?
B Davenport
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hi
How does east bayberry drive look? #93?
Any updates are appreciated.
Donna
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Good luck to my son and the 19 men from his platoon doing rescues on LBI. We love you Tony! Be careful!
Kelly W
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
beach haven west is completely flooded. lagoons are now flowing thru the streets... please be safe and stay put.
Carol Lalli
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Hope to hear about Beach Haven West
joanne sarubbi
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
show photo the breachis across from hurley motel by caroline
ave
joanne sarubbi
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
That was not clear i saw a photo by CAroline ave breach is across from HUrleys
ruth sattin
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Is power out in the village harbor section of beach haven west. Did the water go over the bulkheads.
peter caminiti
2:17 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
have you heard anything about village harbor
Jason Cofone
9:05 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
BHW resident evacuated as well but heard updates from a neighbor that stayed. Water breached the bulkheads virtually everywhere and in some areas it was estimated there was 4-5' in the streets. Mill creek and Paul were barricaded by the water tower. Unsure of other areas further inland
Danielle
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Our house in BHW is flooded on Lynn Ann 3 ft of water... Looks like lagoons all flooded and that breached bulkheads last night
Beth R
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Does anyone know about Holgate near Joan rd?
Mandy Harenza
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Any info/pics of Jeffries Ave (ocean side) Beach Haven? Comment here or MandyHarenza@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/MandyHarenza
mcsquan
4:11 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Just found this You Tube video of Jeffries Ave footage - doesn't look like much damage as far as I can tell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQORtHIRJ98&feature=related
Chris
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Does anyone know if the bridge to Long Beach Island is open or closed? Thanks.
Sean
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Is Rt 72 open?
DOUG
6:01 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
ANYBODY NO WHA TMANTOLOOKING MARINA NEAR BRIDGE IS LIKE WINTER MARINA
Sean
7:06 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I was on the 900 block of Jennifer Lane (near Marsha) in Beach Haven West this afternoon. My house had about 6 inches of water throughout the first floor. The police had the causeway to LBI blocked as of 3 PM.
sandy
2:17 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
How about holgate at magnolia and south long beach blvd???
Kelly W
2:17 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
the east end of mill creek is completely flooded and by blocked off by nat'l guard. we were told you have to park on mill creek and jonathan and walk to your house. we braved the storm last night, scariest thing i've ever witnessed. as for lbi, we were told that there is damage to the cedar bonnet bridge, which is going to make matters worse. be careful and stay safe, all we can do is wait.
Faith Kearney
4:17 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Would appreciate any information about Loveladies. Once search and rescue is complete, more information needs to go out to those who evacuated! Thanks.