The group consisted of FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and New Jersey emergency management personnel. High on their list are beaches in Atlantic and Cape May counties that were ravaged by last week's powerful storm. The group examined the beach and dunes along Bay Avenue in West Atlantic City.
Teams also saw the devastation to Ocean City's dunes on the north end of town, breached by the relentless surf. Geo tubes designed to hold sand were exposed like beached whales.
Officials say it was the worst storm in 17 years.
Financial aid will come if President Obama declares the effected counties disaster areas.
The assessments in Atlantic and Cape May counties will take a few days and then teams will move onto Ocean, Monmouth and other counties.
The state will ask for the federal disaster declaration and if it comes it means towns will be reimburses for cleanup and damage to public property including beach fronts and bay fronts.
Officials say private homeowners should check in with local emergency management offices after first filing a claim with their insurance companies.
