Post-Irene Cleanup Efforts Continue in Barnegat, Waretown

Cleanup continues along Barnegat's bayfront in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which dumped 6 inches of rain on the area, raised bay waters to flood stage and downed trees and wires around town.

Township administrator David Breeden said public works employees are currently cleaning the bayfront area, where storm surge and high tides pushed sand, seaweed and other debris the roads.

Ocean Township crews are doing the same in Waretown, where most bayfront street ends were also littered with seaweed, he said.

The municipal beach in Barnegat is in good shape, said Breeden, and there was no damage reported at the municipal dock boardwalk, "just a lot of water and clean up."

Electricity has largely been restored in both Barnegat and Ocean, though Jersey Central Power & Light crews are still working on a few isolated areas that still don't have power, he said.

Public works crews in both townships will be making regular rounds to collect tree debris from curbs starting Tuesday, said Breeden. Residents can move brush to the curb at any time throughout the rest of the week, and crews will collect it without a special appointment.

Trash pickup will run tomorrow through Saturday, one day behind normal schedule.