Point Beach Police: Stay Out and, If You're Here, Stay Home

Point Beach police are asking for everyone to stay out of town and for those residents who have not evacuated to stay in their homes.

"The town remains 'locked down' for any travel, both by vehicle and pedestrian, east of the train tracks," said Detective Patrick Petruzziello on Monday evening. "We are asking that people do not attempt to come to the area as they will not be permitted east of the tracks."

There is some flooding and roads not passable in Point Beach, where they wait for the full force of Sandy.

The next high tide at 8 p.m. is the next big concern in the seaside resort town, where a full moon, an ocean, inlet and other waterways already greatly heightened, and the full force of Sandy's rain and wind are all promising to come together for more flooding and possible wind damage.

One piece of good news is that the mandatory evacuations east of the NJ Transit train tracks "went very well," Petruzziello said.

He said the police department moved 16 people to shelters, but there may have been more who drove to shelters on their own.

"We have not had any storm-related injuries. There was some flooding that came throughout last night and with this morning’s high tide. Some of the water has receded. However some areas remain impassible."

The closest shelter to Point Beach is Point Borough High School.