Businesses, vacationers on LBI cope with flooding caused by Erin

Several blocks of Ship Bottom remained flooded Friday afternoon but businesses stayed open.

Jim Murdoch

Aug 22, 2025, 9:32 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Parts of Long Beach Island still underwater at high tide.
Several blocks of Ship Bottom remained flooded Friday afternoon but businesses stayed open.
“This is like my 200th flood but not usually in the summer. We usually get them in the winter, nor'easters are a problem all winter,” said Christian Stark, owner of Starky's Ship Bottom Marine Center.
A little water wasn't enough to shut down Starky's Marine Center.
“Some damage, just minor stuff like rugs, throw rugs, everything else was fine. I'm used to the flooding so I had everything up off the floor for the most part,” said Stark.
At Hartland Golf and Arcade, no wake zone signs warned traffic on the boulevard to take it slow.
“The show must go on. If there's people willing to swim to get here, then I'm going to clean up and open up,” said owner David Hartman.
On West 28th Street, the best way to get around was by trudging through the water, or by bicycle. One driver smartly backed up out of the water. Other vehicles were seen being towed away, casualties of Hurricane Erin.
Locals told News 12 that for 362 days a year, this is a beautiful place to live. It's these couple of flood days which make it annoying. Flooding from Hurricane Erin was the highest they've seen in two years.
“I've had my car up here on higher ground. Everything in the house is up. I have work to do when the storm comes,” said Ship Bottom full time resident Jack Cannuli.
Eliza Filus called for her parents to come down from Clinton Township Thursday night when the water kept rising at her brother's vacation home.
“It's part of it, the price you pay. Like you said, 362 days a year, this is just the price you pay for some of them. It's worth it though,” said Filus.
The storm snarled traffic, left streets underwater, but as the locals say, it's all part of island living.
“Little flood can't stop you, especially this part of town. This part of the island you have to be ready to open as fast as you can,” added Hartman.