Beaches across the South Jersey shore felt the affects of a nor’easter that swept the region in mid-October, resulting in visible erosion and, in some areas, more than 5 feet of vertical sand loss.<\/p>\n
Ocean City<\/a> beaches saw “substantial erosion” across its beaches, spokesperson Doug Bergen said. Some of the most notable instances occurred along the city’s stretch of downtown beaches, roughly 5th to 10th Streets.<\/p>\n “(That area) has always been most vulnerable to erosion based on the shape of the island relative to prevailing currents and storm surges,” Bergen said.<\/p>\n More: When will we fall back for daylight saving time? Will clocks turn back an hour tonight?<\/a><\/p>\n According to the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit<\/a>, coastal erosion causes approximately $500 million in annual property loss, which included structural damages and losses of land.<\/p>\n Ocean City was on deck to receive help from an Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project during this off-season until federal government officials approved no funding for the work, something that hasn’t occurred since the early ’90s, Bergen said.<\/p>\n Instead, city officials are developing alternate plans to truck in sand for the most-damaged beaches until other replenishment funds can be secured.<\/p>\n Impacts from the storm were also seen in North Wildwood. Mayor Patrick Rosenello said the area “experienced some pretty significant dune damage,” with beaches on the southern side of the town, specifically around 15th to 25th Streets, taking the brunt.<\/p>\n More: Jefferson Health to lay off hundreds of employees. What we know so far<\/a><\/p>\n Like Ocean City, replenishment plans for North Wildwood beaches are in funding limbo.<\/p>\n While a seawall construction project from 2nd to 7th Streets is nearing the construction phase, Rosenello said the beach replenishment project is in “serious jeopardy” after problems arose with securing funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.<\/p>\n On Oct. 16, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy lifted a state of emergency that was declared Oct. 10.<\/p>\n NJDEP preliminary beach erosion report<\/p>\n State DEP employees began erosion assessments Oct. 14. A preliminary report provided to this publication showed “minor to moderate” sloped erosion from the areas of Brigantine through Ocean City, and “moderate to major sloped erosion” from Strathmere to oceanfront Cape May City.<\/p>\n In Atlantic City, heavy erosion was focused north of Central Pier at St. James Place and north of Garden Pier at New Jersey Avenue, the report said.<\/p>\n In Ocean City heavy erosion was observed between 1st and 11th streets, including new and additional dune loss along that area as well as wave run-up under the boardwalk in the area of 5th and 6th streets.<\/p>\n Vertical dune scarping, or loss, more than 5 feet in height had been reported in Brigantine, Atlantic City and Ocean City.<\/p>\n In areas of Avalon, vertical dune scarping more than 10 feet in height was reported, and areas of North Wildwood saw vertical dune scarping more than 5-feet in height, according to the preliminary report.<\/p>\n Wave run-up was reported to and under the boardwalk in Wildwood and to the dunes in Wildwood Crest.<\/p>\n A full assessment report from the state DEP is expected to be forthcoming.<\/p>\n