Evacuation Orders Lifted Throughout Berkeley Township

It's safe to go home.

Mayor Jason J. Varano and Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele have lifted both the mandatory and voluntary evacuations throughout the township, now that Hurricane Irene has departed.

"Please use caution as waters may remain high," Varano said. "Do not drive through flooded streets."

Varano and DiMichele at first issued voluntary evacuation orders two days before the storm for South Seaside Park and Pelican Island. The voluntary evacuations were later extended to most of the mainland waterfront areas.

But on Friday, the evacuations turned mandatory. Residents even on the mainland were told to leave by noon Saturday.