FEMA On The Ground In Hoboken As Residents Begin Clean Up
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- As power is slowly restored to some areas of Hoboken, N.J., the level of devastation is becoming more apparent.
As CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported, most businesses in town were flooded. Some were destroyed.
Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton spent six years building The Frayed Knot, a quaint antique shop in town, which was demolished when Sandy came to town.
"It looked like a river, the Colorado River running through here," Morelli told Aiello.
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It wasn't the Colorado River - it was the Hudson River that was pushed into their store by the storm surge, wiping out furniture which they had painstakingly restored.
"The first day I blubbered like a little girl," Morelli said. "I still am a little overwhelmed."
Restaurants along Washington Street, the city's main drag, were cooking and giving away food on Friday.
Most of the city remained without electricity, four days after a tidal surge sent the Hudson River over its banks and into homes and businesses.
The Navy delivered supplies to the city's Lackawanna Train Station.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer says utility crews are examining substations to determine which circuit breakers need fixing to expedite the restoration of power. But she adds that PSE&G's initial estimate of seven to 10 days of power less is still in effect.
Zimmer gave an update to residents from the steps of City Hall on Friday.
She said pods would be set up in city neighborhoods to distribute food, water, batteries and other essentials.
Schools will be closed next Monday and Tuesday but could open by the end of the week.
Even though FEMA is on the ground and there's been some Red Cross action in the area, Channel 2 donated blankets to residents of Hoboken Friday evening.
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