Superstorm Sandy struck the New Jersey coast in 2012, doing a devastating amount of damage.
From a distance, it would seem that over three years later everything is back to normal.
- Mantoloking – The upscale borough of Mantoloking was one of the hardest hit by the storm, made famous by the photos of the ocean creating a new inlet at the foot of the Mantoloking Bridge. Many in Mantoloking haven’t even started rebuilding. Every one of the more than 500 houses here were either damaged or destroyed. Upwards of a third of the town’s tax base was washed away. The damage can still be seen up and down Route 35.
- Ortley Beach – Located in Toms River, this tiny beach community was arguably hit harder than any other. The storm devastated hundreds of homes here. Even more than three years later, little progress has been made on many of the homes here. Nearly 600 homes were condemned after the storm. Of those houses that did not need to be torn down, many chose to get the help of house raising in NJ services to help get above future flooding.
- Sea Bright – The people of Sea Bright know flooding well, as almost any significant rainstorm will flood the streets. After Hurricane Sandy, though, most of the town’s residents were put out of their homes. For some, getting back is remains a frustratingly slow process.
- Tuckerton – The tiny town of Tuckerton didn’t get much press after the storm, but nearly the entire community experienced at least some degree of flooding. house raising in NJ has been common there since the story. There have also been some house mover NJ operating in town, since about 100 out of 600 houses have been condemned.
- Union Beach – Nearly 80 percent of the 2,000 homes here sustained astounding damage, most of them due to flooding. Repairs have been ongoing, but for many the process has slowed to a halt as they fight with insurance companies and consider their options.
- Middletown – The Port Monmouth neighborhood of Middletown was slammed hard by the storm. Nearby marshlands and the Raritan Bay swelled to historic highs, tearing homes from their foundation and flooding many others. Protecting against future floods has required the use of house raising in NJ services, work still ongoing today.
- Mystic Island –Mystic Island community if Little Egg Harbor is a quaint, quiet waterfront community that has been a retreat for people who want to get away from the bustle of the Jersey Shore. Unfortunately, thousands experienced extreme flooding that is still being dealt with today.
- Brick – The Camp Osborn section of Brick Township is located on the barrier island, and here almost 100 homes burned to the ground in the days following the storm due to broken gas lines. Very little rebuilding has taken place in this community. The many small bungalows there have been left vacant, empty shells waiting to be replaced.
- Beach Haven West – Part of Stafford Township, the several thousand beachfront homes here sustained flooding that left many damaged, necessitating repairs, rebuilding, and lifting.