Atlantic City and the hurricane - Misinformation

Press misinformation - now there's a novelty.

The destruction has not been as bad in some areas of Atlantic City as was originally reported. Homes have been destroyed and a small section of the boardwalk was torn apart by ferocious waves, but most of the famous seafront has remained intact and by the 2nd of November floodwater had gone so the local authorities allowed people to return to their homes. Also, 80% of properties had their electricity supply re-instated according to NBC at - http://www.nbc40.net/news/24700/

The casinos and other businesses were also given permission to re-open, so worried employees, who are struggling financially after losing wages, should be able to return to work soon.

A short section of destroyed boardwalk which has featured on news bulletins and in the press was used as illustrative of the total destruction of Atlantic City, while the reality was very different. The oldest part of the boardwalk, which was due for renewal, was the only section affected by the storm. Press exaggeration in a disaster situation are unhelpful and irresponsible. In this instance the reports will discourage visitors from returning to Atlantic City, and the town is in urgent need of their revenues.

Two Atlantic City blogs are trying to report the actual situation as it unfolds:- http://blogs.atlanticcityweekly.com/ac-central/
and  http://candoac.tumblr.com/
though I have no knowledge of their veracity either.