As Gov. Chris Christie delivered his State of the State Address Tuesday afternoon, New Jersey residents who are trying to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy talked to FOX 29 about what they still need.
Fortescue is a tiny beach town facing the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County. "This is paradise here, this is really paradise," insisted longtime resident Al Munger. But a big piece of paradise has been lost.
Munger took FOX 29 on a walk along Fortescue Beach, to show the damage from the hurricane. "He just built the front out, a 14-foot deck, it's not there no more," Munger said, pointing to a home that sustained major damage.
Munger has lived in Fortescue for more than 30 years. He still sees far more damage than renovation long after Sandy left town. "He was going to sell his house and now it's pretty well destroyed, the front of it," Munger said. The homeowner is not selling it now. "Yeah, not without a lot of repairs," Munger added.
Some repairs are under way in Fortescue, but the going is slow. While the state and the nation focus on the devastation down the Jersey shore, Fortescue spends a lot of time waiting its turn. The mayor of Fortescue calls his town "the other Jersey shore." He estimates Fortescue lost between 30 to 40 homes. He's not exactly sure, because like so many others here, he's waiting to find out whether some homes might be salvageable."
But many contractors are busy rebuilding elsewhere, and not quite available yet. Homeowners here say insurance companies are still holding off making full payments. And as Governor Christie has complained, Congress is dragging its feet with federal aid, so too many residents are in a holding pattern.
Munger hopes financial help arrives soon. "These people are good, good, good people. And that's why I'd like to see them getting a lot more help than they're getting. There could be a lot more help," Munger insisted.
Until that help arrives, paradise remains somewhere off in the distant future.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
The windows of a home are still boarded up more than two months after Sandy made its way through the area.
