newjerseynewsroom.com

BY JANE WOODRUFF

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Despite mandatory evacuation orders given by Governor Christie, many people in the barrier islands decided to stay put during the storm. Half of the residents on the island of Brigantine, and a quarter of those in Seaside Heights are still there, according to a Wall Street Journal blog.

Those residents are now clearly in harm’s way, but it is uncertain if they can be reached by rescuers. State helicopters are not flying because of the high winds, and those winds are expected to be prolonged, which would keep any rescue flights grounded for another day or two.

Flooding will be at its worst Monday night, and under the cover of darkness it will be impossible to get to people in trouble.

“When it comes in tonight, we can't rescue you," warned Christie in an earlier press conference.

Parts of Atlantic County are under five feet of water as of this afternoon, and much of Atlantic City is flooded as well.

The New Jersey State Police have received requests for swift boat rescues, but did not confirm which towns had made those requests.

In a press conference given at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday, Christie confirmed that rescues would be impossible now. He urged residents who had stayed to get to the highest point possible and “hunker down."