Brick Township is bulking up dunes along its oceanfront in preparation for a coastal storm that is on the way.
Crews began moving extra sand onto the beach Wednesday and will finish by Thursday night, the township said in a statement. The sand is being shaped into a protective berm.
"With the weather forecast calling for the potential of moderate coastal flooding it is essential that we build our beaches and berms as much as possible to protect areas that were devastated by Sandy and are still vulnerable,” said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.
"The crews will work until it is done," said Acropolis.
There is no tally on the cost of the sand, but the township will be reimbursed by the state Department of Environmental Protection to tune of 75 percent.
In the statement, Acropolis thanked Gov. Chris Christie for providing funding for dune protection in anticipation of the coming storm.
"We would be doing it anyway to protect the families and homes from further damage and loss, but it is reassuring to know that a significant part of the costs will be paid for by the state," he said.
A coastal flood watch has been issued for the Ocean County area, according to the National Weather Service. Widespread minor flooding is expected during Friday's high tide periods, and moderate flooding is forecast for Saturday's high tide.
Wave heights are predicted to reach between 8 and 12 feet Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, bringing moderate to severe beach erosion.
High tide at the Mantoloking Bridge will occur at 10:08 a.m. and 11:46 p.m. Friday, and 11:11 a.m. and 11:38 p.m. Saturday.
On the oceanfront, high tide will occur and 5:20 a.m. and 4:48 p.m. Friday, and 6:13 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. Saturday.
Also, a winter storm warning has now been issued for Ocean County. The warning predicts 4-8 inches of snow along with "a trace of ice." Snow Friday morning will turn to rain, but then back to snow late in the day Friday into Friday evening.
The Shore area is "on the edge" of the line between heavy snow amounts and lighter amounts, and the forecast could vary, the warning said.
The public servants need to be cut and cut and cut
In the long run, it would cost the state, county, etc less money. The sand dunes just need replenished after every storm... as does the beach.
To keep the beach as it is is costly as we have seen. Mother Nature has its own vision which is, at times, seemingly at odds with ours.
If those plates moved, there's a greater problem coming - and they are not telling anyone here about it ? don't worrie folks, stuff like this, they wouldn't tell the town people about it. our government will keep it quite for a while.
@Jo: the shifting is a natural occurance that is now able to be quantified by our technology. How often and at what rate is the question.