Toms River Fortifying Dunes, Keeping An Eye On Coming Storm

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- With weather forecasts ramping up for the weekend and concerns about added impact of the coming full moon, Toms River officials say they are watching developments closely.

That includes fortifying the dunes, officials said.

“This morning we started fortifying the existing frontal dunes at our beaches,” said Lou Amoruso, Toms River public works director. “We will continue to do this work all week as the tides allow. Fortunately, right now there is a substantial sandbar present.”

Preliminary predictions are for the storm to begin sometime Friday and carry into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday, Jan. 24, is the full moon.

“There is potential for substantial precipitation, both snow and rain,” the Mount Holly office says in its hazardous weather outlook. “Gusty northeast winds could cause additional issues with blowing and drifting. Potential exists for 50 mph gusts along the coast late Friday night or Saturday morning, which also raises the likelihood of widespread coastal flooding for daybreak Saturday’s high-tide cycle.”

Meetings of essential township officials from the Police Department, Emergency Management, Engineering Department, the Department of Public Works, the Mayor’s Office and Township Council to solidify storm preparation plans, he said.

(Ortley Beach photos from Tuesday. Credit: Lou Amoruso)