Asbury Park Press APP.COM $1.00 FRIDAY 03.06.15 Thursday’s snowstorm — the 17th and biggest of the season — had a major impact in New Jersey, but it may be winter’s last gasp. It dumped up to 8 inches of snow in Monmouth and Ocean counties as of late Thursday afternoon, leading to numerous accidents, power outages, widespread school and government closings and sports cancellations. Long Branch police officers delivered a baby girl on the side of a road during Thursday’s storm. And in one accident, a tractor-trailer jack-knifed on Route 18 in Marlboro, spill- ing fuel from a ruptured tank and shutting down the south- bound lanes for more than two hours. No one was injured. “This is the biggest storm of the season as far as snow totals go statewide,” said David A. Robinson, the New Jer- sey state climatologist. “When you consider the broad ex- tent of the state, this may be … an impressive last gasp of winter.” Unlike the late January blizzard that never materialized ABOVE: PETER ACKERMAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Above: Alex Nicols of Long Branch is all smiles Thursday as he sleds the Glenwood Cemete ry hill in West Long Branch. Below: A truck overturned during the stor m on Route 70 in Brick. WINTER’S LAST GASP! (WE HOPE) Season’ s biggest storm lead s to crashe s, closi ngs and — for some — fun TODD B. BATES AND ANDREW FORD @TODDBBATESAPP AND @ANDREWFORDNEWS To see a video ofsledders in Point Pleasant Borough, scan the QR code. For more snow day videos, photo galleries and more, visit APP.com SeeSNOW, Pag e A6 Sandy victims who say they received paltry flood i n- surance settlements because of fraudulently altered engineering reports or poor practices by engineers or insurance companies will now have their claims re- viewed by FEMA. The decision by the Federal Emergency Manage- ment Agency is a victory for homeowners who have complained about meager flood and homeowners insur- ance settlements that made rebuilding difficult, if not impossible. “It’s been well over two years since Sandy struck, but sadly the pain and suffering lingers for families struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Sen. Robert Me- nendez, who first announced the decision. “The fight for justice and fairness for Sandy victims is far from over. I will hold FEMA’s feet to the fire until every sin- gle Sandy survivor gets what they are entitled to and critical reforms are enacted to ensure this never hap- pens again to disaster victims.” FEMA agrees to evaluate Sand y claim s JEAN MIKLE@JEANMIKLE ASBURY PARK PRESS FILE PHOTO A Mantolok ing home that washed into Barnegat Bay during superstorm Sandy is seen in early 2013. SeeFEMA, Pag e A4 The Diocese of Tren ton approved Mater Dei Prep’s plan to become private — a significant step toward sav- ing the Catholic high school from closure in June. Efforts to rescue Mater Dei get a big push forw ard JERRY CARINO@NJHOOPSHAVEN
