Sunny day flooding events: Some Jersey Shore low lying areas may see more by 2050. Here’s why.

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.

News 12 Staff

Aug 3, 2022, 12:45 PM

Updated 871 days ago

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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.