LBI Emergency Management: 'Working to Correct Life-Threatening Conditions'

Local, county, state, and federal authorities have "rapidly mobilized" and are working to  identify people who stayed behind on Long Beach Island and "correct life-threatening conditions," according to a statement from emergency management officials.

Many points in Long Beach Island were swept over, with the bay and ocean waters meeting. This has resulted in widespread disruption of  utilities that vary in severity by geographic region, according to Harvey Cedars Police Chief Tom Preiser.

According to eyewitness accounts, Loveladies, Harvey Cedars, North Beach, Beach Haven, and Holgate were hit hardest by the storm.

"There is no power or internet connections in most areas of LBI," Preiser said.

numerous homes have sustained  substantial damage, major beach erosion; and many roads are layered in "several feet of beach sand," Preiser said. 

Boats, fences, and other property were uprooted and were carried by the swift
flowing over washes, according to officials interviewed by Patch.

Lt. Tom Dellane noted he witnessed several boats and "lots of debris" floating loose in the bay yesterday.