NJ Residents Are Going To The Shore, Despite Sandy [AUDIO]

Superstorm Sandy is not going to stop shore loving New Jerseyans.

In fact, 85 percent of Garden State voters say they are not changing their summer vacation plans and they will be heading to the Jersey Shore.

Today's Quinnipiac University poll also reveals people like the way Governor Chris Christie is handling the post-storm recovery.

Another 74 percent of the survey respondents think the Garden State's recovery from Sandy is going 'very well' or 'somewhat well,' while 85 percent approve of the way Christie is handling the recovery from Sandy.

"People think the seashore is going to come back," says poll director Mickey Carroll. "They're planning to go there this summer no matter what and they think the Governor has done a terrific job."

New Jersey voters say 69 - 23 percent, including 75 - 22 percent among Shore area voters, that building sand dunes and sea walls to protect ocean front communities is a good idea, even if they block some views. They also support 73 - 22 percent, including 73 - 21 percent at the Shore, having the government buy flood-threatened properties and allow no further development on those sites.

"Better safe than scenic," says Carroll. "People think the dunes are more practical than allowing rich people to have an unimpeded view of the shore and that government has the right to build protective dunes."

Voter ratings of other agencies and insurance companies for handling of Sandy recovery are:

• 43 percent rate the Federal Emergency Management Agency "excellent" or "good," with 47 percent saying "not so good" or "poor"
• 70 percent rate the state government "excellent" or "good," with 24 percent saying "not so good" or "poor"
• 74 percent rate their local government "excellent" or "good," with 18 percent saying "not so good" or "poor"
• 25 percent rate insurance companies "excellent" or "good," with 56 percent saying "not so good" or "poor."

"Garden State voters think governments - state and local - are doing a good job on recovery," explains Carroll. "FEMA gets mixed marks. Insurance companies get a thumbs down."

Voters also support 73 - 22 percent, including 73 - 21 percent at the Shore, having the government buy flood-threatened properties and allow no further development on those sites.

From March 19 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,129 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.