Guadagno Meets with Cape Officials for Storm Update

COURT HOUSE – Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno visited Cape May County Office of Emergency Management Sept. 4 for a 2 p.m. storm briefing with county and municipal mayors and emergency managers. 
She gave what she called “the 30,000-foot view” and reported that state agencies were on standby to assist if and when they may be needed as Tropical Storm Hermine seemed to veer slightly eastward.
As projected it could possibly drop about an inch of rain, not the three to four inches that had been forecast earlier.
“It will be windy and there will be some rain unless that pattern changes,” said Guadagno.
She stressed that persons in low-lying areas should take all necessary precautions to relocate their vehicles, since flooding is still expected, regardless of the storm’s easterly direction.
Tidal flooding is still expected as is beach erosion, with Cape May reporting severe erosion to Poverty Beach and Cove Beach, according to Mayor Edward Mahaney.
Seven Mile Beach Mayors Martin Pagliughi and Suzanne Walters lauded replenishment projects as helping to mitigate damage, but it was still early in the storm cycle.
Tourism took a hit on Sept. 3 and 4, according to Realtors who spoke with Stone Harbor emergency manager.
Mahaney said the city remained open with no evacuation. Some outdoor events were moved into the Convention Hall, and with balmy weather, there was little effect, he said.
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Martin, who accompanied the lieutenant governor, said the DEP had aerial photographs of all coastline beaches. That, he noted, would afford easy comparison to see what damage, if any, the tropical storm caused. He also said engineers from the department would make coastal surveys Wednesday or Thursday.
Middle Township Committeeman Timothy Donohue asked Martin if the DEP had surveyed the Delaware Bay coastline? No, replied Martin.