There also is another concern for vacationers at the shore. If the boardwalk, restaurants and bars are closed, there may not be as much to do.
That's a factor playing into 26-year-old Stephanie Carchia's decision to secure a share house for her first-time ever in the Hamptons this year. The hedge fund trading assistant is paying a lot more for it than she did at the Jersey Shore — her summer spot for years.
"I figured it wouldn't be the same this year. I was worried there wouldn't be as many people," Carchia said.
Others are sticking with their yearly shore plan.
Jennifer Luongo, 28-year-old advertising account executive, and 13 of her friends have signed a summer lease for a house in Manasquan, N.J.
"I am hopeful things will be as close to back to normal as possible," Luongo said. "I am concerned that there is the possibility that places that my friends and I like to go to won't be ready by summer, but we are all just staying positive."
Dozens of beachfront homes were destroyed or heavily damaged and 60 percent of the homes had water damage in Manasquan. Tourist attractions were compromised, too. A quarter of Manasquan's boardwalk was lost during the storm. (Read More: Scenes from Hurricane Sandy)
But Mayor George Dempsey told CNBC the boardwalk should be repaired by summer, and businesses such as Leggetts Sand Bar and the Riverside Cafe are expected to be up and running by Memorial Day. In fact, Leggetts is eyeing a March 1 "grand re-opening," according to its website. The beach-front bar and restaurant was filled with water and sand during the storm.
The borough will be "ready for business," Dempsey said.
