Damage to Galloway Township Not As Bad As Expected From Hurricane Irene

The Galloway Township Department of Public Works continues cleaning up in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which touched ground just up the coast at Little Egg Harbor Inlet as a Category 1 hurricane earlier this morning.

Irene is moving north, toward New York, Long Island and New England.

The storm is moving at 25 miles per hour and is gaining momentum. After hitting New York City and Long Island this morning, Irene will over southern New England this afternoon.

"There's quite a few trees down and wires down, but it's not as bad as we expected," Township Manager Steve Bonanni said. "We're out moving trees and checking property.

"We've got eight people out right now, cleaning up debris and checking storm drains. The clean up will be some time, but it's not as bad as we expected. We'll be out for about a week or so."

On his Facebook Page, Deputy Mayor Don Purdy posted the following:

"Well just did a drive through Galloway Twp. So far so good there is some flooding and down trees. But all in all looks like part of the town lost power. But not all lets see what the second half brings. Stay safe Galloway."

According to Atlantic City Electric's outage map, 34,494 power outages have been reported in Atlantic County, with just over 6,000 originating from Galloway Township, and they are gaining ground on restoring power.

Power went out around 9 p.m. Saturday when an enormous oak in front of a home on Leeds Point Road came crashing down, partially blocking the road and pulling down powerlines.

Luckily, the resident was away, according to neighbor Lisa Repici.

The Atlantic County shelter set up at Roland Rogers Elementary School experienced some leaking in the gymnasium, but it is currently under control, and no other problems were reported. The shelter is at capacity, with 200 people, from various areas, including staff. Those at the school must wait untilt their areas are cleared for return before they may leave, Township Deputy Director of Public Works, Community Services Beth Stasuk said.

Galloway Township Middle School was being used a refuge point for those in the township who were told to evacuate. The school sustained no damage, and anyone who had been housed there has been sent home.

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center reported three births since noon Saturday, Aug. 27, and 284 patients were admitted overnight. No major injuries were reported.

Rick Mulvihill, an adjunct instructor at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, is reporting that power has been restored at the Four Seasons retirement community, as of 7:30 Sunday morning.

The boredom factor began for some people on Sunday morning.

Pat Schiavo peddaled all the way from Smithville on a bige to the Galloway Shop Rite just to buy yogurt and cottage cheese.

Kimberly Stark first went to check on a vacant home owned by a friend, but then went to Shop Rite to rent a DVD -- Red Riding Hood -- before driving home to deal with a tree down in her home's driveway.

Check back with Galloway Patch for updates throughout the day.