Latest Winter Storm Further Erodes Jersey Shore Beaches

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — High winds and heavy rains battered New Jersey this week, causing flooding and other problems across the state. It also brought a spotlight onto one of the most common (and expensive) wintertime issues at the Jersey Shore - beach erosion.

About $3 billion has been spent by the state over the years to replenish these beaches, trying to fix the massive cliffs that Mother Nature has carved out.

The latest storm, that brought winds of up to 70 mph in some shore areas, only further compounded the erosion issues.

Ocean City, which just completed a replenishment project at its southern end, was one town that ended up with part of its beach gone after Tuesday's storm. The dunes on 5th Street are barely standing now, according to a CBS News report.

And North Wildwood, a town that has been battling the state over its eroded beaches for years, again suffered from this week's storm. About 10 blocks of its 36-block beach have been eaten away, according to NJ Advance Media.

The city has taken matters into its own hands, which at times has gotten them reprimanded by the state. North Wildwood's next beach replenishment is set for 2025.

The point of beach replenishment is for the sand to get washed away, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The projects are "sacrificial in design," they said, as they serve to absorb the blow of storms.

Building up dunes protects buildings alone the shore, serving as a physical barrier from strong waves. Dunes protect homes from direct impact and from flooding and instead of getting damaged or broken, the sand just moves elsewhere and can be moved back again.

With another storm in store for Friday night and other future winter storms, conditions will likely only worsen.