Following Sandy, It's Back to Business for Newport

Though power was still out for many on the island, downtown Newport was busting Tuesday morning with cleaning crews and merchants working to get their doors open while residents emerged to survey the damage.

On Bowen's Wharf, which was hit with a tidal surge of about 2-3 feet, business owners were sweeping out and mopping up, many planning to open by the afternoon. At Active Sole, the footwear shop owned by Newport City Council member Stephen Coyne, compensating for high tides has become commonplace.

Coyne, who was operating a wet vac, said that he moved his inventory to a second floor space, sparing any product loss. It's something he says he does three or four times a year.

Still, Sandy's surge was a bit higher than shop owners along the wharf are used to.

At Diego's Mexican Restaurant, workers were sweeping out the last of the water and were planning on reopening Tuesday afternoon at 5.

Things weren't as manageable at Easton's Beach, however, where a 6-foot surge left Memorial Boulevard underwater, washing out the road and causing significant damage to Save the Bay's aquarium.

As of noon, the area was still closed to traffic as crews worked to remove sand and debris from the roadway.

Green Bridge on Ocean Drive was also hit hard. In Jamestown, Mackerel Cove was washed out, the fragile dunes protecting the roadway in some areas completely eroded and access to Beavertail restricted at mid-day by town work crews.

Meanwhile, Discover Newport sent out word that the Newport Visitors Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue is open; as are The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum.

"Our four major convention hotels all have power and are welcoming guests, as are many inns and bed and breakfasts throughout Newport and Bristol County," the bureau said in a release.