New Jersey residents flee Gulf Coast

The looming destructive presence of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast is beginning a mass exodus that has some heading back to New Jersey. Many travelers from New Jersey have been forced to cut their

News 12 Staff

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Sep 1, 2008, 2:08 AM

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Updated 5,895 days ago

The looming destructive presence of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf Coast is beginning a mass exodus that has some heading back to New Jersey.

Many travelers from New Jersey have been forced to cut their vacations short. While disappointed, they're also glad to be back home safe - far away from Gustav.

James Plete, of South Plainfield, was finally able to get out of New Orleans ahead of the storm. He's one of many New Jersey residents who cut trips to the Gulf Coast short.

"We tried to get a flight Saturday, there was nothing," he says. "Every flight after us was booked - there was nothing to get out."

Rod Matto, of Flemington, was on the same Sunday afternoon flight into Newark Airport. The frequent New Orleans visitor says his thoughts are still with friends in Louisiana.

"I come home and I have all this. I don't have to worry about losing my house, job and family," he says. "They are going through it now for the second time in three years."