Skip to content

After the Nor’easter: Turning Recovery into Resilience for Southern Ocean County

Back to News

After the Nor’easter: Turning Recovery into Resilience for Southern Ocean County

Chamber News

Recent Storm Impacts Highlight the Growing Importance of Trusted Local Resources

This past weekend's powerful nor’easter served as another reminder that living and doing business along the Jersey Shore requires preparation, resilience, and support. Our thoughts are with the residents, business owners, employees, and visitors who experienced flooding, property damage, disruptions and the stress that comes with an unpredictable coastal storm. Thank you to our first responders, emergency personnel, utility crews and public works teams who worked tirelessly to support our community.  We also want to remind everyone that not all businesses were affected and to check to see if your plans need to be altered. 
Just one month ago, Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce shared resources in this article Building a More Resilient Southern Ocean County During NJDEP Flood Safety Week, which is linked here.

Recovery Requires Trusted Local Experts

Unfortunately, disasters often attract bad actors looking to capitalize on stressful situations. The Southern Ocean Chamber strongly encourages residents and business owners to work with trusted, established professionals whenever possible. During recovery from Superstorm Sandy, one of the most heavily utilized resources on our website was the Chamber's business directory, as property owners searched for reliable local companies with established reputations in our region.

Today, our online member directory has been modernized and continues to connect residents and businesses with trusted local service providers across Southern Ocean County.

Disaster Recovery Resources in the Chamber Directory

Find local professionals through the Southern Ocean County Chamber Business Directory:

Contractors & Construction Services

  • General Contractors
  • Builders & Developers
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • HVAC Specialists
  • House Raising Companies
  • Environmental Services
  • Home Restoration Services 

Cleaning & Restoration

  • Home Cleaning Services
  • Building Cleaning Services
  • Building Restoration Services
  • Power Washing Services 

Insurance & Financial Guidance

  • Insurance Agencies
  • Title Insurance Professionals
  • Financial Consultants 

Property Management & Monitoring

  • House Watch Services
  • Property Management Companies
  • Real Estate Professionals 

Community Assistance

  • Community Organizations
  • Community Centers
  • Municipal and County Agencies
  • Environmental Organizations

Steps Property Owners Should Take After Flooding

Whether the damage was minor or significant, commercial or residential please add these to your best practices:

  1. Document all damage with photos and videos before beginning cleanup.
  2. Contact insurance carriers immediately to initiate claims.
  3. Save receipts for emergency repairs and temporary accommodations.
  4. Verify licensing, insurance, and references before hiring contractors.
  5. Review future mitigation options such as elevating utilities, installing flood vents, improving drainage, or elevating structures where appropriate.

Why Flood Regulations Are Changing

Many property owners have noticed increasing discussions surrounding flood zone designations, higher construction standards, elevation requirements, and insurance costs. These changes are being driven by a combination of updated flood mapping, repeated storm events, sea level rise projections, and efforts by federal and state agencies to better reflect current and future risks. As highlighted during our 2026 State of the Chamber, this is key to better understanding flood and coastal disaster recovery timelines.

Looking Forward

For more than 112 years, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce has helped connect residents and businesses with trusted local resources. As recovery continues, we encourage everyone to support the local businesses that help make our LBI Region strong and seek out experienced local professionals who understand the unique challenges of coastal living. 


It is important to remember that many local businesses are already making plans to reopen and will be ready to serve our community as quickly as possible. By supporting these businesses, we can assure the region moves ahead together.



Images

Powered By GrowthZone