Ortley Beach in Toms River in the days leading up to Hurricane Irene was a mix of evacuations, summer tourism, calm bays and large waves.

Lifeguards who manned the beach are now long gone, the stands since overturned as the order to evacuate moved from voluntary to mandatory.

Toms River Recreation Director Eric Schubiger said the procedure for breaking down the beaches were identical to closing the beach department for the season, a process that will unfold again in the weekends after Labor Day.

Meanwhile, police signs flashed the message of evacuation.

As a few stragglers stretched their time on the barrier island longer with a last walk on the beach before departure, it was only gulls, pipers and sea birds who were left hanging out on the beach.

Check out our gallery of Ortley Beach's boards and beach pre-Irene.