“little more than a severe thunderstorm”

Hours after Hurricane Irene battered the New Jersey coast early Sunday, emergency officials in Atlantic City reported the gambling mecca had made it through the storm without major structural damage.

Police reported no overnight problems or incidents in Atlantic City. More than 500 senior citizens who live in city high-rises had refused to evacuate, and from all accounts were fine, including more than 90 who rode out the storm together at Best of Life Park.

There was more concern further inland, where streams and rivers already swollen by rainy weather in recent weeks washed over roadways and threatened homes well away from the coast. Officials in Atlantic County, which includes Atlantic City, took heavy rainfall during the storm and officials expected totals to reach eight to 12 inches across the county.

Power outages were also widespread, and officials could offer no immediate update on when Atlantic City –- and its 11 casinos –- might reopen for business.

Many residents who stayed for Irene described it as little more than a severe thunderstorm -– downed trees, power outages and flooding roadways. But the heavy rain, coupled with the storm surge and high tides along the coast, combined to pose a dual flooding threat long after the hurricane had moved further north. Atlantic County officials were watching Great Egg Harbor River and Mullica River, which were rising and already flooding numerous roadways, even in the western parts of the county.

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