No Fatalities Found So Far In Seaside Heights Area, Officials Say

Hundreds of search and rescue teams have combed Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Patk and South Seaside Park and have found no fatalities connected to Hurricane Sandy, officials say.

Paul Daley, deputy coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management in Toms River, said he doesn't expect the number to change.

Search-and-rescue teams knocked on doors twice and three times at residences on the barrier islands, Daley said. They went door-to-door and marked those locations as they went.

"These rescue teams are professionals. They went room by room multiple times. This was extremely thorough," Daley said.

Contrary to rumor, the A&P supermarket in Ortley Beach has been boarded up since the evacuation more than a week ago, officials say.

Daley said there is still a missing persons situation, but it's unclear whether residents went to stay with their relatives when they evacuated, or did whatever they could to leave.

Daley praised the work of local teams and those assisting from far-away communities. He thanked residents who heeded the evacuation.