Initial Reports: Damage on LBI Minor

Damage on Long Beach Island from Hurricane Irene appears to have been minor compared with the havoc wreaked by flooding and destructive winds in other Shore communities over the weekend. 

A quick survey after the Route 72 causeway was reopened at 2:30 p.m. Sunday revealed the south end of the island took a heavier beating than the area north of the causeway.

The entrance ramp at Holgate at the southernmost tip of LBI has been destroyed, and debris is piled up near the parking lot at the gateway to the protected area.

There is some wind damage to homes south of the causeway, and some traffic lights are out on the island.

But on the north end, there's little sign that a hurricane passed through at all. The beach in Loveladies shows little evidence of erosion, and while there is some sand at the end of a few ocean streets, roadways are free of debris and there appears to be no major damage to buildings from wind or water.

Other roads in south Jersey besides the causeway have been reopened to cars following the storm.

According to the state Department of Transportation, southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway south of Exit 98 at Interstate 195 had been reopened as of 3 p.m., though there are flood-related detours between Exits 98 and 91.

The eastbound lanes of the Atlantic City Expressway at Pleasantville will be reopened later this afternoon.