Some Manville, NJ Residents Worried About Looting, Repeat Flooding As Clean Up Begins
MANVILLE, NJ (CBS 2) -- As some New Jersey residents begin to return home to clean up from slowly receding flood waters, concerns over looting and repeat flooding on are their minds.
On Bob Kaminski's debris filled lawn is a sign that demands attention: "You Loot, I Shoot."
"It's a warning," said Kaminski. "It's a first warning."
His house is one of hundreds in Manville with mountains of muddy belongings on the curb.
Neighbors here have been on the lookout for looters because not all of their water-logged belonging are trash. Some of it salvageable and drying out in the sun.
Valuable antiques, treasured photos and more have been rescued from homes after the Millstone River floodwaters finally retreated.
"It's not even down yet," said Kaminski. "It's got another three, four feet to go."
Kaminski showed CBS 2's Dave Carlin the river that just became his enemy yet again.
The same river flooded after Floyd 12 years ago and again four years ago. Now with Irene, it's overflowed its banks yet again.
"I've been here 38 years. I gave a good life to my wife family and kids, we had a good life, good comfortable life. We're getting ready to retire. This is our nest egg to retire but what are we going to do? We can't go anyplace. We can't sell, that's it," said Kaminski.
He says all his family can do for now is keep rebuilding.
"Keep rebuilding. Keep fixing. Just buy us and get us the hell out," said Kaminski. "We can't go through this year after year."
New Jersey has been declared a federal disaster area, which frees up recovery funds.
Those in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties can apply for disaster aid online or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.
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