The NJ DEP has just released a Storm Survey and Damage Assessment regarding last weekend’s storm and the beach erosion that it caused. The report covers all of Monmouth and Ocean counties, and much of the rest of the shoreline as well. I have included the summary from the report below, and also attached the full report, which includes descriptions of the damage. Following the report summary are two aerial photographs of Mantoloking (with Bay Head in the distance) showing the beach erosion sustained in the storm. Please click on the images to view them at full size and resolution. The pictures are copyright Stockton Coastal Research Center (via Stewart Farrell) and Ted Kingston (pilot and photographer).
“Since 2013, many beaches along the Jersey Coast (including the Delaware and Raritan shorelines), have been the recipients of a federal beachfill project or another form of shore protection – a majority of the beachfill projects were previously constructed projects that were renourished, however several are new construction and have either been recently completed, are currently ongoing or have not been constructed. As a result, New Jersey’s beaches are in various states, ranging from stable and protective to erosional and vulnerable. Since the September/October 2015 prolonged northeast event, there haven’t been any significant events which has allowed recovery to occur – this recovery has been both natural and man-made. There have been, however, several episodes of wave activity that have created periods of larger surf but negative impacts have not been observed with the exception of several hot spot locations and some slowing of the recovery process.
On Friday, January 22, 2016, a robust low pressure system developed off of the Carolina coast – the dynamics supporting this developing low were the ingredients for a dangerous storm. By Saturday, this low pressure was a large and dangerous storm, spreading its impacts from the Carolinas to New England with strong winds and precipitation types ranging from rain to heavy snow. Blizzard conditions battered the upper Delmarva region through New York including New Jersey, with many areas receiving 20 to 30 inches of snow. These blizzard conditions generated high seas, which coupled with the full moon, propagated moderate to large surf and elevated water levels. This resulted in varying levels of erosion along the New Jersey Coast.
During this event, winds from the northeast and north-northeast gusted to nearly 60 mph creating seas as high as 27 feet. These conditions developed surf ranging from 6 to 15 feet with greater heights around jetties, groins, inlets and piers throughout the state. The conditions began to subside on January 24th, 2016.
Staff from the Bureau of Coastal Engineering conducted a town by town visual survey of the New Jersey coastline on Sunday January 24, 2016 and Monday January 25, 2016; the results of which are contained in this report. During the compilation of this report, the surf conditions ranged from 2 to 4 feet, depending on the location and winds were variable. A detailed summary listed by municipality from north to south follows this report. Of the 66 municipalities/beach areas surveyed, 26 were determined to have minor beach or dune erosion, 21 had moderate beach or dune erosion and 19 had major beach or dune erosion. Criteria for determining damage levels are listed at the end of this report.” – from the Initial Coastal Storm Survey & Damage Assessment Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Raritan Bay shorelines January 22 through January 25, 2016
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