Buyouts of properties in flood prone areas are expected to begin within a matter of weeks, beginning in Middlesex County and working south into the summer months as residents and their respective town officials make the difficult decision to abandon entire neighborhoods for good. Though buyout specifics have been limited, Bob Martin, commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, said between eight and 10 towns along the coast have inquired about participating in the State’s Blue Acres program, which purchases severe repetitive loss homes in flood areas and converts the …

As needs have shifted so too has the conversation. Recovery remains underway in varying degrees following Hurricane Sandy's arrival on New Jersey's shores in late October. And while meeting immediate needs of storm survivors was a challenge at times, the direction was always clear: a return to some semblance of normalcy.  Long term recovery, however, is a concept still up for debate. The only thing that's clear now is just how unclear it really all is.  At Monmouth University Thursday night, a live panel comprised of experts and officials joined a second panel broadcast live from New York …

The mood has changed. A log from NJ Hope and Healing shows that people impacted by Hurricane Sandy have gone from feeling shocked, sad and tired with a loss of appetite to angry, hopeless and unable to make decisions. “People are having a natural reaction to abnormal circumstances,” said Carol Benevy, Project Lead for NJ Hope and Healing. NJ Hope and Healing is a project sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch, through a FEMA grant. In partnership with Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention, NJ Hope and Healing offers …

Although New Jersey has the second-lowest suicide rate in the nation, a new hotline has received approximately 300 calls since it was launched May 1, according to Philly.com. New Jersey’s suicide rate for people ages 35 to 64 increased 31 percent from 1999 to 2010, and as a result the New Jersey Department of Human Services spent $648,981 to create NJHOPELINE, Philly.com reported. Officials have expressed concerns of the emotional impact the stress related to damage and losses from Hurricane Sandy has had and will continue to have, according to Philly.com. Operated by University Behavioral …

Adoption of the county budget was once again postponed, as the county recently became aware of possible funding that could boost its ratable base, which was drastically cut due to Superstorm Sandy. The Ocean County Freeholders approved a resolution at its regular meeting Wednesday allowing the county to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Actually, it’s good news,” Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. The funding would come from CDBG, separate from the grants the county receives annually through the program. The money is for communities whose …

An amendment aimed at halting federal flood insurance rate hikes for five years has been blocked in the U.S. Senate. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) was blocked from coming to a vote Tuesday by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Amendments in the U.S. Senate require what is known as "unanimous consent" before a vote can take place, meaning a single member can block a vote from occurring. Toomey told the New Orleans Times-Picayune Tuesday that he objected to changing reforms put in place last year because he supports the move to "diminish the subsidization that occurs now where …

JERSEY SHORE -- Britain's Prince Harry did what most people would do on a sunny, spring day in Seaside Heights—take in the ocean views, then play some boardwalk games. Harry came to Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday morning after the two toured destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in Mantoloking. The pair drove south on Route 35 and entered the boardwalk at Grant Avenue where crowds of people were waiting for their arrival. "Prince Harry, we love you," shouted one small girl who was holding a welcome sign. Standing next to her was an Elvis Presley impersonator, hoping to …

The Seaside Heights roller coaster that was submerged in the Atlantic Ocean due to Superstorm Sandy will be removed this week, according to NBC 4 New York. The Jet Star coaster will be removed by demolition crews with contractor Weeks Marine following Prince Harry’s visit to Seaside Heights Tuesday, NBC 4 New York reported. Weeks Marine crews will be using both barges in the water and on-shore equipment to remove the rollercoaster, NBC 4 New York said. The removal will be completed within 48 hours. A portion of the Jet Star will be saved for a memorial on the new Casino Pier, which will be …

The following column was submitted by New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd: As New Jerseyans continue to rebuild and recover from Superstorm Sandy, mold and its remediation have become a challenging issue for many residents and communities. It can cause property damage and be a health concern when it grows inside homes and is not properly dealt with. Exposure to mold can cause coughing or wheezing as well as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. To help homeowners ensure that their residences are cleaned and remediated properly, the New Jersey Department of …

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez threw Shore residents a virtual lifeline Thursday, delivering an address on the Senate floor where he urged colleagues to support an amendment to federal legislation that would stop flood insurance rate hikes, at least in the short term. Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke in favor of an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act which would stop flood insurance premiums from rising until FEMA completes its study on the affordability of premiums of the National Flood Insurance Program. Shore homeowners face annual flood insurance premiums of up to $31,000 a year if they do…

It’s an enduring image of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction of the Jersey Shore and its coastal communities. The Jet Star roller coaster, rising out of its saltwater foundation, is a representation of the sheer force of nature, one seen in publications around the world in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Every day the ride has spent in the Atlantic Ocean since is a reality of just how long recovery can actually take. Eventually it will be removed, and likely soon, but what it represents, like every tattered boardwalk, every crushed house, and flooded business, is likely to linger much longer…

In the days following Superstorm Sandy, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Chapter received many donations, but few were bigger than the one from professional golfer Stacy Lewis. Lewis quietly contributed $20,000 to the food bank, based in Egg Harbor Township. On Monday, May 6, the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce showed its appreciation for her in a public way. Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sam Young presented Lewis with the a Community Hero Award for her contribution. Galloway Councilwoman Whitney Ullman and Councilman Jim McElwee presented Lewis with a plaque …

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $15 million in federal Public Assistance grants for shore communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy in a latest round of funding, according to a release from Gov. Chris Christie's office. The aid will be used to reimburse municipalities and counties for costs incurred in the aftermath of the late-October storm, whether that be for rescue efforts, cleanup, or reconstruction. The more than $15 million in grant funding has been awarded to Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Woodbridge Township…

New Jersey will receive $229 million in grant funding to help upgrade wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities in communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday. As a result of the late-October storm, wastewater and drinking water treatment systems in parts of New Jersey were so severely damaged that some could not provide safe drinking water or treat raw sewage. The funding announced today will give states the capacity to further reduce risks of flood damage and increase the resiliency of wastewater and drinking water facilities…

As the deadline for signing easements is tomorrow, Governor Chris Christie took time at his town hall meeting on Long Beach Island today to warn holdouts that they don't have much longer before he "calls them out."  More than 600 people gathered for the town hall at St. Francis Parish Center, where Christie explained further details about the $1.83 billion announced Monday. Christie urged residents and business owners interested in taking advantage of the program to visit www.sandyhelp.nj.gov or call 855-sandybz for grant information. Not surprisingly, many of the questions from many of the …

Nearly $1.4 million in federal funding is coming to Seaside Heights to reimburse the borough for Superstorm Sandy response and recovery work, according to New Jersey's U.S. Senators. The money to Seaside Heights is part of $9.4 million in federal funding being distributed through FEMA's Public Assistance program throughout New Jersey, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez announced Tuesday. Seaside Heights, which was severely impacted by the storm, is being reimbursed $1,390,633 for search and rescue operations, sheltering, an emergency mobile kitchen and nonstop police protection …

Barnegat Township Committeeman Albert Bille recently announced a program which he has dubbed "Buy in Barnegat," and this weekend the list of participating stores was announced.  Bille has been working with the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce to encourage residents to "shop locally here in Barnegat." Under the "Buy in Barnegat" program, Bille said interested parties will be encouraged to visit the township clerk's office where they will be able to obtain a free card, which will entitle them to certain discounts at the participating stores and restaurants - 20 so far in all - in May. Bille called …

They are easy to spot. They don't smile much. They look tired. They are tired. They are numb. They are the Sandy zombies. They are fried emotionally and physically from half a year of battling to go home, if they still have a home to go to. I am a Sandy zombie. Is it possible it's been half a year since that horrific day and night when Superstorm Sandy blasted the Jersey Shore and changed some lives forever? Six months since we left our Bayville home with three terrified cats and made our way to family in Toms River? Six months since we've been living in a basement? We knew Sandy was going to…

The federal Small Business Administration will close the SBA Disaster Center in Manahawkin on May 1, SBA spokesman Mark Jamison said. The center will close due to a "steady decrease" in activity, he said. The Manahawkin Center is located in the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce building on West Bay Avenue. Hours:  9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday             10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday. Closing:  May 1 at close of business day The SBA is also encouraging Hurricane Sandy survivors to visit one of the centers before they close, and reminding them the deadline to return applications…

Victims of Hurricane Sandy who suffered storm-related losses have until midnight Wednesday (May 1) to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance.  Survivors can register online and check the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. May 1 is also the deadline to return applications for Small Business Administration loans, which are the primary source of federal funds for long-term …