UPDATE: Christie: 'Don't Get Out on the Road Today'

As Hurricane Irene was being downgraded to a tropical storm, Governor Chris Christie said that property damage is not as substantial as had been predicted and warned that no assessment can be completed until flood waters recede.

"The fact that we were successful in evacuating over a million people was a preemptive measure that I am confident saved lives," Gov. Chris Christie said during his noon briefing Sunday. "In order to make sure New Jerseyans stay safe, I cannot urge people strongly enough, maybe I can, to stay inside. Please stay inside — don't get out on the road today."

Christie said hurricane damage across the state has not been as severe as expected, but that even with the sun breaking through the clouds Sunday afternoon, rivers haven't crested and inland flooding issues remain a concern.

In Union County, nearly all towns are dealing with flooding, from sporadic road closings to massive floods. In Union Township, cars on parts of Morris Avenue were covered in water up to their handles. The current was so strong that small waves were lapping against the wall of the Reliable Home Inspection building. Across the street, at the Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church, a replica of Noah's Ark appeared to have run aground in a front lawn that looked more like a small pond. Roads leading to portions of Route 22, Springfield Avenue and Millburn Avenue were closed due to roughly four feet of flooding.

Downed trees and power outages are also prevalent across the region. As of 12:15 p.m., more than 10,000 people were without power in Union County and 650,000 people are powerless across the state.

"That number is likely to increase," Christie said at the briefing.

At 2 p.m., PSEG reported 58,000 Union County customers still without power. Around the state, 313,000 residents are without power, down from the 650,000 Christie announced at his press conference.

As he began the press conference from the New Jersey State Police control center known as "The Rock," the sun began to shine and the wet easterly breeze shifted, replaced by warm, dry winds from the west.

And while residents disregarded official requests to stay off the roads, many tried to take advantage of the break in the weather — and wound up either stuck in flooded roads or trying to navigate detours; Christie said there are 300 different road closures or obstructions across the state. However, he added, the turnpike and bridges are clear, which allows the state to get equipment where needed.

The Garden State Parkway is reopening as of 1 p.m. and tolls will be reinstated at 6 a.m. Monday.

New Jersey Transit crews are currently inspecting service systemwide and trains are likely to operate on a Saturday schedule Monday morning, Christie said.

As roads regained some degree of normalcy, Christie said 15,000 people were housed in more than 53 shelters across the state during the storm. Shelters will continue to provide food and water today. The state Departments of Agriculture and Education are working to coordinate additional evacuation shelters in case of inland flooding, he added. Palisades Medical Center and Hoboken University Medical Center remain closed.

Christie, who said that despite shore communities not suffering as much damage as expect to their beaches and other property, he expects that "a summer that's been very good in terms of our weather," will likely suffer significant losses in rental and business revenues. He is not sure when the beaches will be open as vacationers and Shore businesses try to make the most of the last big week of summer-vacation business. Christie left the press conference to tour the coast and much of the state by helicopter to assess storm damage and will provide updates later today.