Free Sand Bags for Toms River Homeowners Facing Flooding

If your Toms River home stands a chance of being affected by the nor'easter we're expecting Tuesday, township emergency management crews will give you a front line of defense.

They are giving away sand and bags at no charge, while supplies last, at the East Dover Firehouse and the Third Avenue lot in Ortley Beach.The firehouse is 629 Fischer Boulevard.

The sand, and the bags, are free. All you need to do is shovel it.

High tide arrived after 8 AM. Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy reported that coastal flooding remained confined to predictable spots.

"We had nothing major reported other than some tidal flooding in in the Barrier Island, in Seaside Park, in the Heights area, and some up in Mantoloking-Bay Head," Mastronardy said.

However, on Long Beach Island, washouts were reported on sections of Long Beach Boulevard. High tide reached the Manahawkin Bay Bridge at about 11:30 AM.

The storm met the anticipated two inches of rainfall by 9 AM, and wind-whipped rain is expected to convert to a snow-rain mix when temperatures drop tonight. We could see an inch of accumulation by the time it tapers off.

Toms River Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Daley says that the gales are bringing down trees, increasing the odds of downed wires and power outages. At 11:15 AM, there were 2,810 Ocean County JCP&L customers without service, and less than 200 in Monmouth.

The second persistent problem is the repeated massing of leaves into storm drains, which county and local public works staffers stay busy clearing. Daley recommends anyone with a storm drain curbside by their homes or businesses to clear them instead of waiting for crews to arrive.

Daley is also wary of the effect of a coating of snow and rain on roads and storm drains if temperatures dip below the freezing point overnight. He's urging common sense and caution for anyone who has no choice but to venture onto highways.