Early Afternoon Update: Clean-up, assessment taking place; no word on island re-opening

Capt. Jim Grauel inspecting low lying areas of the island. (Photo by John Lynch)

Cape May County remains under a State of Emergency and the mandatory evacuation of the barrier islands is still in effect.

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano is urging residents who stayed not to venture outside until proper assessment and clean up can be attended to.

"There is debris in the streets, downed power lines and areas of flooding," he told the Cape May County Herald. "Everything is closed. No one should be on the streets."

While the Garden State Parkway re-opened this morning, it has not yet been determined when the Wildwoods and other barrier islands will be approved for the residents and business owners to return.

Earlier, Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton told Coastal Broadcasting that he wants all barrier islands to remain closed today.