Homes left in the wake of superstorm Sandy in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Photo: Mike Groll

To appreciate the delicate environment of the New Jersey barrier islands, think of something as fine as a long strand of tiny pearls running for miles along the coast.

Then think of the ferocious energy of superstorm Sandy; of whole houses floating in the water between the islands and the mainland and, even as late as today, of the 400 locals who sat out the storm now surrendering to evacuation by emergency crews.

The islands stretch north from Atlantic City almost as far as New York City. Evacuees who have straggled out from the islands have scattered, but about 200 of them who are hunkering in a shelter at Brigantine, three kilometres north of Atlantic City, were visited on Wednesday by President Barack Obama.

The suffering in this strip has been somewhat diminished, as attention is focused on the storm's colossal impact on millions in the nearby megapolis of New York.

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But inspecting damage in the area, Mr Obama promised a co-ordinated federal-state effort to get people back in their homes as soon as possible and if that was not practical, to ensure they got alternative assistance.

Flanked by New Jersey's Republican governor Chris Christie, Mr Obama said that no help would be withheld. Assistance would include military ships and helicopters, now joining the recovery operation.

Where Sandy has not ruptured access roads to the islands (such as the broken bridge on the road from Manahawkin to Long Beach Island), police road blocks are preventing property owners from returning, possibly for days or weeks to come. Police are also turning away an inevitable parade of rubber-necking sightseers.

About 100 Atlantic City residents who had refused evacuation ahead of the storm gathered near the wreckage of the city's fabled boardwalk, hoping that their numbers might persuade Mr Obama to re-route the presidential helicopter in their direction.

Read more:

Sandy devastates fragile New Jersey islands