Travel restrictions have been lifted for access into Ocean City and all Cape May County barrier islands.
The Route 52 causeway (9th Street Bridge) and the 34th Street Bridge are open for access onto the island. The Ocean City-Longport Bridge is still closed at this time.
The city is continuing damage assessment and cleanup of the entire island. We ask that the general public please refrain from travel into Ocean City to allow the city and property owners to continue their cleanup efforts.
Please stay out of areas on the island that have heavy equipment, contractors and critical assessment personnel. This is for your own safety and to help expedite the recovery efforts.
Residents and homeowners are encouraged to immediately begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
A mandatory driving curfew within Ocean City is still in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. due to hazardous road conditions and power outages. Please use extreme caution while driving as travel on the island is still hazardous. Many roadways are still flooded or covered with storm debris.
If you are able to do so, trash, recycling and storm debris may be put out at your regular pickup area. The city is continuing to sweep the island and remove trash and debris until a schedule is determined. The Shelter Road Recycling Center has extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Additionally, the city has set up dumpsters throughout the island. Please visit www.ocnj.us for a list of dumpster locations.
Power is still being restored in many areas of Ocean City. Crews are working in town, however, the timeframe for restoring power is not known at this time.
Ocean City Schools will be closed on Friday.
Why does looting happen? Because houses that have stuff sit there uninhabited. That is the definition of 95% of Ocean City from November through March. This is just another example of people buying into fear, and letting the police flex their power a bit more than usual. There's no reason to be worried about looting on a statistically significant scale.