Ortley Beach emergency sand berm holds back surging ocean during afternoon high tide

     Ortley Beach at noon Saturday. (Photo: Justin Auciello/for NewsWorks)

    Ortley Beach at noon Saturday. (Photo: Justin Auciello/for NewsWorks)

    The emergency sand berm placed on the narrow beach in the Ortley Beach section of Toms River once again successfully held back the surging sea during this afternoon’s high tide.

    While battered repeatedly by swells reaching heights of over 10 feet, the berm along the beach, which is all but gone due to the continuing strong onshore flow, mostly held its ground and protected Ortley Beach, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

    Shortly after the 12:30 p.m. high tide, officials on the scene noticed a weak spot underneath the oceanside lifeguard station and ordered more sand to secure the area for tonight’s high tide. 

    Sea foam was blowing onto the road, but no water was seeping inward. 

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    Crews began delivering truckloads of sand to Ortley Beach earlier this week when it became apparent that the vulnerable stretch of beach just north of Seaside Heights needed a reinforcement. 

    Township officials are eagerly awaiting the beginning of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers dune building and beach replenishment project, which has been delayed due to a handful of property owners not signing easements.

    Riverside Signal reported that 17 easements remain unsigned in the Township. 

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