PHOTOS: Before and after Superstorm Sandy cleanup in Toms River

The Toms River Police Department has released photo comparisons before and after Superstorm Sandy cleanup. 

The top photo was snapped immediately after the storm, while the bottom photo depicts the same area one year later, according to the township. You can see the remainder of the images here. 

“As you look at the comparison photos on our website, you’ll be reminded of the extreme devastation that existed, and the reasons why our area was declared a State of Emergency disaster zone for so many weeks.” Mayor Tom Kelaher said. “These photos also exhibit just how far we’ve come in the past year.”

But some Jersey Shore Hurricane News commenters say that a full recovery in the township, particularly in the Ortley Beach section, is still a long ways off, according to responses to a query yesterday. Here are their unedited responses to a question about which stricken areas are still suffering: 

Nicole Reilly: “ortley beach..spent summers at joey harrisons..gone..visited this past Aug. again on Thanksgiving Day…has not changed much since Sandy hit..no reason to visit again w. my kids.”

Glen Smiley: “Ortley Beach, spent many summers there with my kids, much of the reason I moved from north jersey, sickens me to still see it look like that, I hope all of those homeowners get more help soon!!”

Kelly Smolen: “Ortley beach. Many many homes are still a mess.”

Suzanne Belanger-Eckert: “Ortley Beach, my home is there and we’re still waiting on grants, were in the same place as last year, hurry up and wait!”

Dorothy Zahran: “Ortley Beach! We’ve repaired but Ocean Terrace is a desert.”