Citing safety concerns, residents will not be allowed to return to their homes Tuesday on Seaside Park as first announced.

Ortley Beach after Sandy
Ortley Beach after Sandy (Toms River Township)
loading...

In a message posted on the Borough website, the state has declared the roads on the barrier islands unsafe. Residents were initially told they could have access to their homes on Monday and Tuesday.

Long Beach Island will allow residents to return on Tuesday. There will be a two passenger maximum per car who must produce  two proofs of residence. Residents will be allowed to take whatever they can carry in their hands and get back to the mainland. Access to the northern barrier islands from Seaside Park to Mantoloking may not happen again until Friday.

LBI will also allow  state-licensed plumbers and electricians will be allowed onto the island to secure & winterize homes. Contractors must complete an application.

Meanwhile, the borough of Seaside Heights announced on its website that only essential personnel will be allowed to be in town. "We will have a plan by Wednesday (Nov 7th) night that should allow limited access by this Friday (Nov 9th)," read the post.

On the Toms River, officials posted that the New Jersey Department  of Transportation has found over 22 sink holes, some being as much as 8 feet deep, on the roads. Until the sinkholes are dealt with NJ DOT will not permit traffic on the northern barrier islands.

Residents jammed Route 72 eastbound on Monday morning headed back to LBI.

Seaside Park residents line up at Central Regional for passes to allow them access to visit their homes.
loading...
Seaside Park residents line up at Central Regional for passes to allow them access to visit their homes (Jason Allentoff, Townsquare Media NJ)

Tom Mongelli & The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More From Restore The Shore