TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- This month's storm took a significant bite out of Toms Rivers' beaches.

"I would estimate that we lost about a quarter of our main dune," Public Works Director Lou Amoruso told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.

But Amoruso said it could have been worse. A state grant allowed the town to build a temporary sand berm to protect infrastructure and homes

"We've estimated that we're going to utilize 2,100 loads ... of sand," Amoruso said.

Of the $1 million allocated, the town has already spent $800,000. Without the berm, Amoruso believes residents could have faced significant flooding.

Toms River was among several Jersey shore communities that were battered.

Montoloking lost an estimated $2 million worth of sand that was protecting a steel barricade erected after Hurricane Sandy.

Ortley Beach to the south lost 60 percent of its dunes.