Low-lying areas along the Jersey Shore are likely to see more of what are
known as sunny day flooding events by the year 2050.
A new study by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
says we could see more than 100 days per year of the minor flooding events.
“I think normal high tides are
going to be problematic rather than just moon tides and lunar events,” says
Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan.
Flooding in Manasquan is nothing
new, but in the last few decades -- it happens without hurricanes or
nor'easters.
“It became a public safety issue,” says Donovan. “People cannot
get out of their houses in this area in town. We could not get emergency service
vehicles into this part of town during flood events.”
Scientists say it's a combination of sea level rise and sinking
land. To counter the flooding, Manasquan raised several streets
and installed flood valves in some drains.
But now, new projections from the NOAA show the nuisance flood
events, even without storms, will increase. One model shows Atlantic City
experiencing more than 110 high tide floods per year by 2050. Similar numbers
would be likely in Manasquan.
“I find it hard to believe
that there are people that don't believe this is happening,” says Donovan.
“It's pretty obvious if you just look at what's happened for the last 12 years
since Sandy or the last 25 years. It's incredible the change and how
fast it's happening.”
Manasquan has maxed out its efforts
to protect some homes from future flood events because of existing
infrastructure and private land. But towns like Bay Head, which saw a week of
nuisance flooding last October, are still planning measures to keep the water
out.