DEP Monitoring Snow Storm Forecast; Emergency Sand Possible for Beaches

A coming storm could impact the already battered Jersey Shore, where most of Sea Bright has been shut down since Hurricane Sandy and beach replenishment is currently ongoing.

But the state Department of Environmental Protection is coordinating dumping emergency sand to help protect the beachfront.

DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said his office is in contact with shore towns establishing who has protecting berms in place and who may need emergency sand on their beaches.

Another anticipated storm surge in places without established dunes, wiped out by Hurricane Sandy, could become an issue in the forecast. Martin said his office is closely monitoring the storm.

If needed, emergency sand could be dispatched to at-risk beaches from the DEP and other agencies, Martin said.

“Whether through us, through FEMA, through the (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers, we’re looking at emergency sand,” Martin said at a Gov. Chris Christie press conference this week.

The forecast for the Rumson, Fair Haven and Sea Bright area from the National Weather Service is as follows:

• Friday: Rain, heavy at times, turning into snow after 10 p.m., with high temperatures up to 37 degrees. Breezy, with a northeast wind of 18 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph at night. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Snow between three and seven inches is possible.
• Saturday: Snow likely, possibly heavy at times, mostly before 10 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Visibility is predicted to be cloudy through mid morning with a gradual clearing, high temperatures of 34 degrees and wind of 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Night is forecast as clear with temperatures reaching a low of about 21 degrees and blustery winds decreasing to 13 to 18 mph after midnight.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 38 degrees.