Cumberland’s Bay Towns Struck Again by Severe Weather

Cumberland County NJ – According to Cumberland County Officials, a strong storm struck the bay shore area early this morning.  Cumberland County Freeholder Director Carl W. Kirstein said that Money Island, Gandy’s Beach, Fortescue and Matts Landing, as well as coastal areas of Commercial Township were all impacted by the storm.

A combination of heavy rains, high tides and strong winds caused 10-15 foot seas in the Delaware Bay.  Emergency Management Officials estimate that Gandy’s Beach was again hit the hardest, completely washing out Cove Road which was just recently repaired as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Cumberland County Freeholder Bill Whelan, Liaison to the Public Safety Committee said “the County has deployed resources to assist the local municipalities in shoring up roadways, debris removal and any other assistance it can provide”.   Public Works officials reported that in Maurice River Township, the County recently completed a $70,000 repair to Matts Landing Road which was damaged by hurricane Sandy.  Public Works Liaison, Freeholder Tony Surace advised that early this morning, the dike which is maintained by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, breached causing the water to top the road and wash away all most of the repairs that were just completed”.

It is anticipated that there will be some road closures that will not reopen immediately.  However, Public Works Officials have advised that they hope to have Fortescue road cleared by the end of the day, today.  Roads that will remain closed will have barriers blocking the roadway. As a matter of public safety, residents are warned not to cross or pass through the designated areas.