19 N.J. beaches suffered ‘major’ damage during latest nor’easter, state report says
Northern Atlantic City following the latest nor'easter on Jan. 26, 2016. The state documented major damage to the city's beaches. (Image: Remote Control Aerial Productions)
The late January nor’easter caused major damage at 19 Jersey Shore beaches, state officials say.
A report issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Coastal Engineering found that out of the 66 municipalities surveyed for beach and/or dune erosion, 28 had minor damage, 21 had moderate damage, and 19 had major damage.
Winds from the northeast and north-northeast generated winds gusting to nearly 60 miles per hour and seas reaching 27 feet, with surf ranging from 6 to 15 feet, according to the report.
The report classifies major erosion as “significant or total beach berm loss and/or erosion and scarping of the dunes,” with moderate as “significant scarping and/or significant sloped erosion of the beach berm” and minor as “loss or sand without significant scarping or sloped erosion.”
The entire Raritan Bayshore suffered minor damage, while moderate damage began appearing in central Monmouth County. The first instance of major damage appeared in Bay Head, Ocean County. See the full list here.
Long Beach Island beaches suffered mostly major damage, with the survey finding the possibility of a new inlet in the vulnerable Holgate Natural Area situated at the island’s southern tip.
Remote Control Aerial Productions compiled a gallery of before and after images of beaches from Ocean County to Cape May County. See the gallery here. Specifically in northern Ocean County, Tim Sharkey of Sharkey Images documented major damage.
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