Weeks have passed since several Jersey Shore towns alerted state officials to their eroded beaches, declaring states of emergency after heavy sand loss caused by three storms.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says it’s ready to fund scheduled beach renourishment projects in 2026 but warns that emergency work isn’t possible without federal dollars, and those funds aren’t yet secured.

With costs topping $73 million for recent projects, the state is offering technical support for any self-funded interim fixes while lobbying Congress for long-term support.

Ocean City and Upper Township said their beaches suffered the most damage from Hurricane Erin in August, followed by two October storms — a nor’easter and a strong coastal storm.

The weather created storm surges that

See Full Page