Photo 1) The remains of the interior of the first floor of  Seabra’s Armory *Photo by Noelle Zaleski 

Photo 2) The remains of South Amboy’s Boardwalk *Photo by Aaron Beers Photo

3) Boats piled up in Keyport Shore *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell  Photo

4) The Remains of American Pride Bait & Tackle in Sewaren. *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

By Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY — Hurricane Sandy hit Perth Amboy last Monday, 10/29/12 and all of Tuesday 10/30/12. In most areas power went around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Power was restored in some areas on Tuesday 9 p.m. and others on Wednesday around 4 p.m. Some areas such as the Waterfront and the Budapest area did not have power until Sunday. The Budapest area is part of the Sewaren grid and the power station in Sewaren was flooded. The water had to be pumped out and dried then repairs have to be made.

By Thursday 85% of the City had power. There are shelters in Shull and McGinnis Schools where people can go for a hot meals and plug in electrical devices. The YMCA is open to plug in electrical devices and for recreational activities.

“The citywide power outage was actually a blessing,” states Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz, “We could cut cables and do what was needed to be done. We maximized the situation with the power out.”

Mayor Wilda Diaz states that she looked at the weather reports and saw that it was a severe storm and took every precaution. Diaz was aggressive with providing people with information. “We knocked on doors, told the people in the Waterfront area to leave and to take the storm seriously. “We needed them to be evacuated.”

“During the storm all you could see on the piers were the top lights. Everything else was covered in water,” Ruiz states.

“In 44 High, 20 people refused to leave,” Ruiz states. When they called us, it was too late for them to leave, but we got them to higher ground.”

“We have 90 officers on duty on the streets. No one died due to the storm.” Ruiz stated.

The water damage of the Waterfront is substantial. The water went up as high as the old police station. It went as far as the steps of St. Demetrios Church. In Bayview Park the water rose to where the “1683” is on the wall. The side of Bayview Park is compromised and there is fear that a mudslide may occur.

The Waterfront looks like a war zone. Damage to the Waterfront includes the entire boat basin destroyed, the entire first floor of the Armory is ruined by water damage, the retaining wall and front porch of the Barge is completely destroyed; American Pride Bait and Tackle is completely ruined; Fajji’s Bayside Creamery is devastated, and the houses on Front Street have sustained considerable damage. The Yacht Club dock is destroyed.

“The Waterfront damage is water based while the rest of the City’s damage is wind based,” Ruiz stated, citing roof damage and downed trees throughout the City. Presently, every street south of Lewis Street and East of Second Street has been blocked off due to damages from the storm.

Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz states that there were 130 boats docked in the boat basin. “People were told to get their boats out of there. Over 100 people took their boats out. 30 owners left their boats in the basin. We found half of them washed up ashore. We’re assuming the other half sank.”

“Perth Amboy has been devastated by a storm. I admire the integrity of the city workers. I was extremely impressed by our Mayor and City employees rising to the occasion to minimize damage and protect lives,” Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez states.

Public Schools will resume on November 12 while Catholic Schools will be open on Monday, November 5.

On Saturday, November 10 there will be a garbage pickup day for hurricane brush debris.

“Over 100 million dollars in damages. Off the top,” stated Ruiz. “We are probably looking at anywhere from 5 to 6 years for repairs.”

Police Chief Benny Ruiz, Mayor Wilda Diaz and Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez look over the destruction on Front Street. *Photo by Paul W. Wang

“Years of work and building all destroyed in one storm,” states Mayor Wilda Diaz. “With help from FEMA, the Waterfront can be repaired. History has shown Perth Amboy’s unity. We will rebuild,” Mayor Diaz is adamant.

That unity was displayed at the Citywide cleanup day on Saturday, November 3rd at Sadowski Parkway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Over 1000 volunteers came to Sadowski Parkway and helped to clean up the Waterfront. Everyone worked together to clean the debris showing the city’s resilience and determination to rebuild after Sandy.