Flood Mitigation Efforts Strengthened Since Sandy Hit Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Oct. 29, 2022 marks 10 years since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on New Jersey.

The damage was severe, and Sandy's effects are still felt throughout the Jersey Shore. Read More: Indelible Memories, Lessons Learned: Superstorm Sandy, 10 Years Later

In the time since, though, Ocean City has worked to recover, and now the city is holding up its flood mitigation efforts as a model for communities across the state.

"Over the past 10 years, Ocean City has dedicated an average $10 million a year to roads, drainage and flood mitigation, and many of its programs and partnerships are held up as models throughout coastal New Jersey," the city said in a post on its website. "The city remains committed to addressing all priority areas within the next 10 years."

Sandy made landfall about 12 miles away from Ocean City. In the years since, Ocean City said it remains committed to "elevating homes and infrastructure, installing pumping stations, replacing bulkheads and barriers, creating living shorelines, purchasing open space and various other measures that are vital to protecting the island and its residents."

"The city secured a $3 million federal grant to elevate 52 units of a flood-prone, seven-building condominium complex, and the residents moved back in earlier this year. Work is currently underway on a project to add pumping stations and replace the storm drainage system for the bayfront West 17th Street neighborhood," the city said.

Cape May County is also partnering with Ocean City for flood mitigation in Merion Park and surrounding areas. Read More: Flood Prone Areas To Receive Mitigation In Ocean City

All of these are just a few of recent flood mitigation projects, the city said.

The efforts are three-pronged, the city said, and are as follows:

1. Lifting homes, roads and infrastructure above flood levels
2. Using dunes, bulkheads and barriers to hold back flood waters
3. Providing engineering and natural solutions to slow the rate of flooding and increase the rate of drainage

For specific information about the projects Ocean City has undertaken, visit their website.