Christie urges crowds to come back to the Jersey Shore

Less than a week after he urged them to leave because of Hurricane Irene, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie says it’s time for people to get back to the beach.

Surrounded by a crowd of beach-goers on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk Friday, the governor urged people to go the Jersey Shore this holiday weekend.

“It’s really important for folks to get down here for the businesses but it’s just as important for your psyche. You know it was a tough week,” Christie said. “For those who can afford to get in their car and come down here, get in your car, come down here, get on this beach, look out at the ocean, take a deep breath, and relax after a really stressful week for the whole state.”

Christie says 12 people died in New Jersey because of the hurricane. He praised first responders, saying it would have been worse if they didn’t get people to higher ground.

The governor says he’s concerned about the performance of power company JCP&L in restoring electricity. He says there will be an investigation into how all utilities performed during the emergency conditions.