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.
A Philadelphia jury is scheduled to start a fourth full day of deliberations in the case of a Philadelphia abortion provider facing multiple counts of murder.
The jury in the death-penalty trial of a Philadelphia abortion provider has gone home without a verdict after another day of deliberations.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
The windows of a home are still boarded up more than two months after Sandy made its way through the area.
