Tag Archives: New Jersey

Fire and Water: A Damaging Duo

Superstorm Sandy ravaged up the east coast a year ago, destroying everything in its path with its wicked winds and torrential rain. One of the places it hit the hardest was New Jersey, which is famous for its boardwalks, fairs, and other tourist attractions. One such boardwalk is the Seaside Park Boardwalk, which was torn apart by the storm. It had been completely rebuilt as of five months ago, the repairs costing more than $8,000,000 dollars. However, just this week, it all came down once again!  But this time, due to fire, not water. Wiring underneath a custard cart/candy shop had been negatively impacted by Sandy’s wind and salty water, and the wires eventually became so damaged an electrical fire was started. Wind carried the fire down the boardwalk, and would’ve burned all of it, including all of the shops along it, but luckily local work crews came and created a barrier to stop the fire, and then snuffed it out with giant sand dunes. Governor Chris Christie later announced the planned $15,000,000 renovation of the boardwalk using money from donations for Sandy recovery, to repair all of the businesses and attractions along the boardwalk.

Personally, I am very glad that the town of Seaside Heights and the state of New Jersey is already talking about rebuilding this boardwalk and its businesses, because this town needs them. Think of how many people work at the stores, restaurants, and other attractions on that boardwalk. Think of how many people there lost their jobs first because of Superstorm Sandy, and then got them back, only to have them burned to the ground five months later. Think of the relief they’re experiencing, knowing they’ll be back on track again. Also, I’m actually sort of glad that this happened, because this has brought to attention the possibility of these electrical fires from damaged wires. It will have people who might have been affected by Sandy make sure everything is ok as well, because we certainly don’t want this happening again. I’ve never to New Jersey for an extended period of time myself, but I have been to a boardwalk, and they are lots of fun, so I’m happy for the people of Seaside Heights that they are getting theirs back up and running for the second, and hopefully last, time.

 ~Mark Dellostritto

Hurricane Sandys’ Effects on New Jersey

kDQwF2qntICdepmxrlh4C9Tz1I9W1ihHd64gzG0OKhnWFRlAZ3kmEeo2S2J4HKrtHjPeuBxf8ukH03keSNdatLmF-txFs-LcBHVf_FTF9AySy_pI6HnOcBOM.jpg

On October 26th 2012 New Jersey was hit by a devastating hurricane.  Jersey lost thousands of jobs and state revenue growth slowed to a crawl in November. Jerseys labor market and its $31.7 billion state budget, both of which were under stress even before the storm hit. Jersey’s unemployment rate clocked in at 9.6 percent in November, continuing to slope down from an August peak of 9.9 percent. In October job losses were revised down from 11,700 to only 1,000. Sandy affected New Jersey economically and it damaged Jersey physically.

Hurricane Sandy had a devastating outcome on a lot of people, but especially ones in New Jersey. I believe that the National government should give the state of New Jersey more financial aid. I think this because people are still struggling to get back on their feet.  People need to support their families while still not at work.  How are they supposed to do that if they lost all their money, job and house to Sandy? I also believe that the government should be more generous with simple state jobs. People are in need of jobs to make money to keep themselves and their families alive. This government is so selfish when it comes to a devastating time. It is an outrage really, if you think about it. I mean how would you feel if someone took away your house, money, and job?  Not so good would ya.  The government should open up their eyes and look at the reality.  

~Alyssa Stevens