REED’S BEACH — Damage property in this tiny bay side community has been called “devastating” by local authorities as well as Coast Guard personnel,
According to Goshen Fire Chief Frank Svitak, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the back halves of approximately seven homes on South Beach Drive.
“One house, on North Beach Drive, was totally gone,” said Svitak.
While some of the homes destroyed by the hurricane were vacation residences, several were occupied by year-round residents.
All had evacuated prior to Sandy’s wrath striking their community.
“The bulkhead gave way and they just went,” said Svitak of the homes.
Fire personnel along with the township’s housing inspector and members of Atlantic City Electric stayed on site to assess damages. Svitak said those homes in danger of collapsing were condemned.
Power company workmen disconnected utilities from the condemned buildings. Svitak said officials feared live wires coming from the homes could cause electrocution or fire if the homes suddenly collapsed.
“This is really bad devastation,” said the chief. He told how Coast Guard personnel making their way down the state’s coastline assessing damages told him it was the worse damage from the storm they had seen.
After securing the site, residents were allowed to return to their now destroyed homes at 5 p.m. Oct. 30.
“Residents were kept out until necessary clean up was done,” Svitak said.Photos by Robert Newkirk
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