The Wildwoods Tell Tourists, 'Superstorm Sandy Didn't Knock Us Down!'
By David Madden
WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) -- As we approach the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, a number of New Jersey shore resorts that got hammered by the superstorm -- particularly in the southern part of the state -- are going to great lengths to let people know they ready, willing, and more than able to deal with this summer's tourism.
Officials conducted a five-hour media tour today of North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest to prove that the traditional stops here were unscathed, versus points from Brigantine northward.
"Our heart goes out to our neighbors to our north," said Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority head John Siciliato (right) today, "but the Wildwoods are open and we are looking forward to having a successful 2013 summer season."
What spared this resort? That wide beach. You know, the one that takes so much time to walk to get to the ocean's edge. It kept much of the storm surge away, except for a portion of the north end of North Wildwood.
"The boardwalk was untouched, most of our businesses were untouched," notes North Wildwood City Council president Patrick Rosenello (right). "Hotels and motels were untouched. The beach has been groomed and is ready to go."
And even the damaged bulkhead in North Wildwood has been replaced.
Read the KYW Regional Affairs Council special report, "Stormproofing the Delaware Valley"
