The Shore was spared the snow and flooding from a nor’easter this week, but the western portion of the wall at the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach was one of the few casualties.
The portion of the wall near the Fisherman’s Memorial at Loughran Point – the western tip of the inlet area – was completely decimated by the storm, and water is now washing through at every point of high tide. Another storm could threaten the memorial itself or small wind turbine generator nearby.
Point Pleasant Mayor Stephen Reid said the township has contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection and wants to make repairs a priority. It is not yet known when – or what entity – will be responsible for repairing the destroyed bulkhead. On Wednesday, support bars behind the bulkhead were exposed as well as an older, wooden bulkhead that sits below the sand. Even at the main concrete wall, there is now a separation point between the sand at the structure itself in some areas.
For now, anglers are being asked to stay away from the site. Water could potentially rush through at any time, making the situation unsafe, officials said.