This is where Hurricane Sandy is going to make landfall:
Brigantine
Notice how isolated it is.
Governor Chris Christie indicates that over 70% of the town's 9500 permanent residents did not evacuate. One way in and out of the town, via a bridge that connects to the north end of Atlantic City. The approach on the Brigantine side is through some marshes, with the bay on either side. In its entirety, I bet you that there is nowhere on the island more than 6 to 8 feet above MSL. There are no hills or ridges on the island that are not going to be covered with water tonight.
Another thing about Brigantine is that the population is older and more year round than the other barrier islands. These are retirees generally living in modest homes that they have owned their whole lives.
That sea wall on the North End of Brigantine is at least 10 to 12 feet high. It is very bad if that has been breached already. If the sea wall was breached during the morning high tide, then it is going to be alot worse with the next one. Further, the north end of the island has a lot of one-floor ranchers, especially around the golf course. These are typical retiree homes in this resort town. There is a real possibility that residents in these homes will have no safe haven to flee to at the next high tide.
Most of the South Jersey barrier islands give you more than one way in and out. Brigantine is really isolated in this respect. There are not a lot of hotels or other structures that are higher than 2 floors in the town.
The government (all of it-local State and Federal) needs to be prepared to help Brigantine at first light tomorrow morning.
I fear for these residents and I fear for Brigantine.