Travel Ban Remains in Effect as Region Begins Recovery From Sandy

A travel ban is in effect until further notice as the recovery from Sandy, which made landfall as a tropical storm in Atlantic City Monday night, begins.

Sandy left Ocean City and Atlantic City devastated, as much of each city remains covered in water. Local officials have asked residents to remain off the road as emergency management crews begin to assess damage once daylight breaks in the area.

Atlantic City Electric was reporting 125,000 outages Monday evening, and said crews are ready to begin work once a full assessment is complete on Tuesday.

In Atlantic County, four of the five shelters at local schools were still open, with only Buena Regional High School reaching capacity. The other shelters are at Buena Middle School, Pleasantville High School and Pleasantville Middle School, while St. Augustine Prep School is accepting residents in need of continuous medical supervision. Galloway Township Middle School has also opened, as a "shelter of last resort." Residents seeking shelter here must bring their own supplies.

In Cape May County, Upper Township Middle School and the Woodbine Developmental Center each reached capacity. Shelters remained open at Upper Township Elementary School, Middle Township Elementary School and Villas Fire Hall, which is only taking residents from Lower Township.

Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the barrier islands, including Ocean City. Four National Guard trucks were stationed in Cape May County throughout the day, assisting with rescues. According to the county website, 50 rescues were made in Ocean City and neighboring Strathmere.

As of 5:08 a.m., the National Weather Service out of Mount Holly classified Sandy as a weakening storm. It was projected to hit Western Pennsylvania this afternoon and New York Tuesday night. It is projected to turn left and move into southeastern Canada on Friday.

In the region, there are a pair of high wind warnings and a coastal flooding warning in effect throughout the day.