Hurricane refugees take (free) shelter at New Jersey casino

ATLANTIC CITY » People fleeing Hurricane Florence are arriving at a New Jersey casino whose owner is putting them up for free until the storm passes.

Atlantic City’s Ocean Resort Casino is taking in people from the southeast whose homes are in danger from the storm, which was pummeling the Carolinas on Friday.

The move could cost the casino $250,000 to $300,000 in lost revenue, but owner Bruce Deifik says he just wants to help people in need.

Among the first arrivals was Jennifer Liebelt from

Wilmington, North Carolina, a former New Jersey resident whose family lost its home in Union Beach during Superstorm Sandy six years ago.

Mimi Razzi left Pawleys Island, South Carolina ahead of the hurricane, and heard about the hotel offer on the drive north.