Authorities Lift States Of Emergency In Atlantic And Cape May Counties

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Authorities in Cape May and Atlantic counties on Sunday lifted their states of emergency which enforced mandatory evacuations.

At Cape May Court House, Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. and Emergency Management Director Frank McCall signed the order at 5 p.m. Sunday rescinding the emergency proclamation which was set in place in preparation for Hurricane Irene.

A few hours earlier at noon, Atlantic County authorities lifted their travel bans on the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway. Residents who had been ordered to evacuate the barrier islands and areas east of Route 9 on the mainland are allowed to return, according to officials.

The 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew which was created Saturday was also removed. County emergency crews are offering resources to help get individuals back to their communities.

Residents who experienced storm-related damage to their properties should report it to their local emergency management offices.