<<< 7am inside the front door, looking out...

same view at noon >>>

Published in the Asbury Park Press 2/18/03
By RICK HEPP
and TOM TRONCONE
STAFF WRITERS

The worst winter storm in seven years buried Monmouth and Ocean counties yesterday under as much as 2 feet of snow, collapsing the sun rooms of nearly three dozen houses in Berkeley, forcing businesses to close and knocking out power to 6,000 people.

Shore residents faced nearly impassable side streets and head-high snowdrifts, as well foot-deep water from back-bay coastal flooding during high tide. They heeded warnings to stay inside during the President's Day storm.

Most malls and stores closed because of the heavy snowfall, although industry experts consider the holiday one of the year's top shopping days.

The storm paralyzed air travel at the region's airports and forced the cancellation of bus service statewide and ferry service in Monmouth County. (more)