Stewart Farrell: Latest News

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. - Erosion from a late spring storm will keep some beaches at the Jersey Shore from being ready for visitors on Memorial Day weekend, but overall, the shore came through the winter in good shape.Scientists and local officials at some shore towns say a storm earlier this month caused erosion that won't be able to be repaired in time for Memorial Day weekend crowds, but note that the vast majority of Jersey Shore beaches will be ready for holiday crowds.Shore towns including North Wildwood and Toms River are among spots where at least some of the beaches will not be open in time for the unofficial start of the summer tourism season."Overall the state's beaches are in good condition," said Jon Miller, an expert on coastal engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. "There were some areas where we knew we would need some more sand."The worst culprit was the so-called "Mother's Day storm" in early May in which the storm lasted for numerous high tide cycles and ate away chunks of beaches on many shore towns.