Ortley vs. Storm: Can These Berms Hold During Nor’Easter?

Berms built on the Ortley Beach oceanfront ahead of an upcoming nor’easter. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Contractors hired by Toms River Township have spent the last several days building multiple temporary berms in the Ortley Beach section to combat what are expected to be major erosion impacts from high waves caused by a nor’easter which will roll in Friday.

Berms built on the Ortley Beach oceanfront ahead of an upcoming nor’easter. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

---

---

During a nor’easter which struck New Jersey in October – which was, on the whole, less severe than the currently-predicted storm – emergency sand deliveries had to be taken to Ortley Beach to shore up the temporary sand berm, which is in place in the absence of a federal dune-building project. During that storm, there was a small breach near the Golden Gull beachfront condominium building.

---

Get Daily Island News Updates Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

Berms built on the Ortley Beach oceanfront ahead of an upcoming nor’easter. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

This time, crews have built two high berms with a gulf in the middle. Behind the two berms is the township small, makeshift dune behind the boardwalk. Vegetation was recently added by volunteers to that dune.

According to the National Weather Service, a 7 to 8 foot storm surge is expected at the oceanfront in nearby Seaside Heights. The surge during Superstorm Sandy was about 8.8 feet depending on the location measured. The NWS is predicting near-shore wave heights of 15-20 feet on Saturday and Sunday.

Berms built on the Ortley Beach oceanfront ahead of an upcoming nor’easter. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Oceanfront high tides occur at 6:20 a.m. Saturday, 6:58 p.m. Saturday and 7:14 a.m. Sunday in Ortley Beach.