Ortley Beach must make repairs after a storm washed away a significant amount of sand.

“Right now, if we truck sand in and put it on it will be gone tomorrow, so it doesn’t make much sense,” says Toms River Township Mayor Mo Hill.

Mayor Hill examined the latest erosion and estimates it will cost around $200,000 to make temporary repairs. The town spent a half million dollars last year on additional sand, only to see that wash out to sea.  

“It’s the cost of business,” says Toms River Township engineer Robert Chankalian. “The revenue of our beaches, all these homes, the infrastructure we are protecting – thank God these dunes are here. Twelve years ago, this road wasn’t here; it’s nice to look and see all this sand protecting the homes and infrastructure.”

Two years ago, the Army Corps of Engineers replenished Ocean County beaches and built the dunes. They identified problem areas, where additional work will be needed, like in Ortley Beach – and are scheduled to return in the fall.  

Even if repairs can’t be made in time for the holiday weekend, the town wants to let visitors know 75% of access points to the beach are open. It's just a few of the walkways which are shut down because of the steep drop offs and cliffs. They hope they can get the equipment on the beach in the next week.

The engineer says they need a big shift in the weather and wind direction before trucks will be able to deliver additional sand to Ortley Beach.