Three weeks before the now near-miss Hurricane Joaquin was set to hit the Jersey Shore, Toms River officials began planning for the storm by not only building a strong defense for the people inland but for the beaches as well.

Toms River Oceanfront 10-2-15 (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
Toms River Oceanfront 10-2-15 (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
loading...

At a press conference in Ortley Beach Friday, Mayor Thomas Kelaher said, "For the last three weeks Public Works people have been working here to buttress the dunes as best we could by moving sand up."

Kelaher acknowledges that the township's proactive approach to storms improved after Irene, and again during Sandy. Toms River Emergency Officials have expanded their reach to residents during such storms.

"Please do not drive through flooded areas and warnings to Emergency officials were on social media, on the radio and here," said township Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Daley. "Please plan and prepare and be ready."

Kelaher said that Toms River has used the last three weeks of storm prep to ensure that township residents are safe and that the beaches are built strong enough to prevent any incursions inland.

Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media)
loading...

According to Toms River Public Works Director Lou Amoruso, fortifying the dunes with sand is important in building the defense wall. "Our goal here is to try to protect the main dunes which is really our last line of defense," said Amoruso.

Since Hurricane Irene, township emergency planners have continued to use technology to spread up-to-the-minute information regarding storm tracking, as well as contact information for residents in need of assistance.They are using text, radio and their website to send out the update.

Planners continue to make every effort possible to make the mainland safe for the residents by building a strong defense on the beach.

 

More From 92.7 WOBM