Ocean County

Beaches Battered, Flooding Lingers As Next Coastal Storm Poised to Strike

by
Daniel Nee
January 11, 2024

With Shore residents already rain-weary following a string of storms, the winter jitters continue as more foul weather is forecast ahead. But a break in the dismal pattern allowed a particular look to be taken at Ortley Beach, which has once again become home to “cliffs” along much of the oceanfront thanks to continued beach erosion. A video of the damage to the beaches is embedded above (note: some ad-blocking software can interfere with the video player). Video of the flooding can be found below this paragraph.

Meanwhile, another coastal flood watch has been issue for Ocean County by the National Weather Service, covering all day Saturday.

The “cliffs” in Ortley Beach ran the majority of the neighborhood’s oceanfront, with the worst erosion having occurred in and around Sixth Avenue – a noted trouble spot. Beach access was restricted at most entrance points, however some anglers and surfers scoured the sand on Thursday.

Dune ‘cliffs’ return in Ortley Beach following the Jan. 9-10, 2024 coastal storm. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Tidal flooding continued Wednesday, however waters were receding by mid-afternoon. Route 35 was closed in the southerly direction between Chadwick Beach to approximately the Toms River-Lavallette border. Traffic was routed to the northbound lanes, which were split to allow motorists to move in both directions.

In Seaside Park, the bayfront suffered serious flooding, with almost the entirety of Bayview Avenue impassable, and flood waters enveloping almost every bay block. Strong west winds pushed water from the bay into the storm drain system, while waves crashed along the bulkhead on Bayview, sending swells of salt water onto the street. Some residents told Shorebeat their homes were flooded, causing damage.

Flooding following the Jan. 10-11, 2024 coastal storm. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The pattern of repeated coastal storms is not ending soon, forecasters indicated.

Thursday, the National Weather Service forecast said, will be sunny, with a high near 46 and southwest wind 10 to 15 m.p.h. Increasing clouds will arrive during the day Friday, however, with rain and thunderstorms moving into the region overnight between Friday and Saturday. It will be windy again, with a southeast wind 15 to 25 m.p.h. increasing to 25 to 35 m.p.h. after midnight Friday. Winds could gust as high as 55 m.p.h., the NWS said.

https://twitter.com/NWS_MountHolly/status/1745238036655571113

Another inch of rain was forecast to fall during the quick-moving overnight storm, which will give way to a shower Saturday morning followed by sunshine with a high of 46 degrees.

Forecasters are also tracking a winter storm that could bring either rain or a small amount of snow to the area Monday into Tuesday as a cold front is ushered-in.