Worn Down By Storm And Fire, Seaside Heights Is Getting Back Into Shape

After Hurricane Sandy and the 2013 fire that turned much of the boardwalk into ashes, Seaside Heights is working to get back into shape.

Game stand worker Danny Dinapoli says his family’s business is doing well and their house in Seaside is as good as new.

He also says that he and his family have done numerous fundraisers to help contribute to the normalization of the town.

“I’m excited about summer starting and seeing this place packed with people. There’s nothing better,” Dinapoli says.

A boardwalk security guard is also excited about Seaside’s progress and anticipates an upgraded boardwalk that will be more family-friendly.

He says the boardwalks have all been rebuilt and officials are making sure everything is up to code and everyone is doing as expected.

“After everything that happened, the boardwalk still looks the same as it always had,” he says.

Residents and storeowners, however, are nervous about the possibility of future storms.

Dinapoli says he and other storeowners are taking extra precautions to protect their homes and businesses. They will be double-boarding up their stores on the boardwalk and make sure any windows are extra secure.

Resident Timmy McDonnell says the waves seem rougher than usual, but he's confident that the town knows how to handle anything that comes their way.

“We’ve taken plenty of beatings, but we always bounce right back,” McDonnell says.