Effects of Hurricane Erin on New Jersey Coastline

While the Garden State avoided the full impact of Hurricane Erin's fury, the storm still managed to affect New Jersey's beach communities through significant erosion.

Harry Hurley, a contributor to the news service NewsBreak, shared photos he took that document the significant levels of beach erosion on the Atlantic City, Ocean City, and Ventnor beaches. 

Based on Hurley's photos, Ocean City was hit the hardest, with significant beach erosion present. Ventnor beaches also suffered impacts from beach erosion.

Action News 6 reported that in Strathmere, crews began moving sand early on Monday, Aug. 25, at low tide and will continue working to restore beach access paths before the Labor Day weekend. Officials said they have already reopened several of the damaged paths and plan to make as many beach access points available as possible for holiday vacationers.

"We've been coming here so many years and noticing how it's been eroding. But this is the worst we've ever seen it," said Chris Kooistra of Mantua, New Jersey.

The hurricane left cliffs as tall as 6 to 8 feet in some areas, exacerbating pre-existing erosion issues. Crews are using heavy equipment to push sand back up to the beach paths, reopening more access paths.

Along with reopening beach access, officials are concerned about safety. They are warning visitors to stay away from the newly formed cliffs, which are at risk of collapsing.

"That sand can collapse on somebody, and we're probably not going to get them out before they perish. So it's a really hazardous situation that people overlook," said Upper Township Beach Patrol Chief Bill Handley.