Rep. Jeff Van Drew surveys Jersey Shore nor'easter damage, calls for state of emergency

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew joined officials from FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to visit several communities along the shore Thursday to survey damage from the weekend nor'easter. 

During an afternoon news conference, Van Drew, who represents parts of South Jersey, noted the storm was "the biggest nor'easter we've had since Sandy," and said recent beach replenishment projects and other infrastructure improvements helped prevent even more damage.

"The replacement of that sand, the restoring of dunes saved a lot of areas," Van Drew said.

Different communities need different solutions to recover from the storm, he added.

"The state is committed to working collaboratively and expeditiously with our federal and local partners to repair and restore these damages," said Joseph Seebode, deputy commissioner of NJDEP.

Atlantic City suffered severe erosion, and the storm left behind steep cliffs between Ocean Casino and Showboat. The beaches are open, but at least 10 access points are now closed. The city's mayor says repairs will be made after the storm season is over.

"There's no need to do that right now, we just need this done in time next year when we welcome over 20 million visitors here," Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said.

Officials also stopped in Brigantine, where parts of the beach and dunes were washed away, and the city's promenade suffered structural damage.

According to FEMA, New Jersey has not yet made an official request for emergency federal assistance.

Van Drew said he would like to see a "coastal trust fund" to provide a "reliable amount of money every year" to help communities protect their coasts. 

In the short term, he said, the state should declare a state of emergency, adding that he's confident that will happen.

Van Drew also visited Long Beach Island, Sea Isle City and North Wildwood.