Jersey awaits dangerous storm surge

>>> like the last time we went through this, we had a lot of warning and notice that a storm is coming. and sadly, just like last time it is making conditions miserable for a whole lot of people. the nor'easter that is upon is in the northeast tonight, the new jersey governor said today will actually set back recovery efforts in that state. nbc's katy tur is in the small peninsula community of seabright , new jersey, not far from new york city to the south along the jersey shore .

>> reporter: good evening, brian, you don't see this often, there is accumulation and flooding, here in the town of seabright , we have the ocean in front of me, the river behind me. it floods during nor'easters and got hit hard by hurricane sandy. you can see that in the buildings behind me. now, this town along with the rest of coastal new jersey is wondering what they will wake up to. ten days after hurricane sandy ripped apart the jersey shore , towns are scrambling to prepare for the first major winter storm , and restore the battered coastline. the weather channel 's mike seidel this morning? here at point pleasant beach, they spent the morning bringing sand out to the beach, building a dune that is twice as high but not as wide, as the one wiped out by hurricane sandy.

>> reporter: new jersey governor chris christie warned this hurricane could stall the restoration efforts.

>> i hate setbacks, i don't tolerate them well, but this one i can't control. the weather is what it is, we'll have to deal with it.

>> reporter: the town of seabright is empty and broken, as the town awaits another storm surge , the town councilman has the hard job to make sure folks get out of town for their own good.

>> we have people here calling us, asking us to come get them, it is dangerous.

>> reporter: throughout the area, there are 369,000 homes and businesses without power. among those trying to cope, one-time jersey resident, mike briscoe. he stayed for sandy, which poured four feet of water in his basement. and he is ignoring the mandatory evacuation this time.

>> the worst thing that can happen is the tree being pushed along the house.

>> reporter: up and down the shore, neighbors are helping neighbors.

>> all we can do is just pray for our friends and people around us.

>> reporter: here, where the next cruel storm could take away efforts. there are emergency shelters open and warming centers for anybody who needs to get warm. and brian, i will tell you it is very cold out here.

>> katy tur, seabright , new jersey,