UPDATE: Hurricane-Ravaged Barrier Island Section Will Open Thursday

A portion of the barrier island from Mantoloking Bridge south to the Toms River border will re-open beginning Thursday at 7 a.m., according to the Brick Township Office of Emergency Management.

The area was especially hit hard by Hurricane Sandy in late October, destroying homes, eroding beaches and leaving piles of sand in the streets.

The department, which made the announcement late Wednesday, has asked that contractors and homeowners be aware of the parking and driving conditions in the area.  Residents and contractors will be required to leave at 4 p.m., police said.

The department warned people not to not park in front of any debris piles and make every effort to park vehicles in driveways and/or off the streets.

Lanes of travel on all streets need to be open to allow access for emergency personnel and equipment, such as ambulances and firetrucks, according to the department.

On Dec. 10, the Normandy Beach area of the barrier island will be closed to residents and contractors because of work being completed by New Jersey Natural Gas. This area will be all streets south of Jeanette Drive, on both the ocean and bay sides of the island. Everything north of Jeanette Drive will have access that day, police said.

If anyone has any questions, they can contact the Brick Township call center at 732-262-1234.

At last night's Brick Township Council meeting, Mayor Steve Acropolis said gas, water and electric are expected to be restored by the end of the month on the barrier island.