Over 7K Ocean City Homes Face Chronic Flooding Risk, Report Says

OCEAN CITY, NJ — More than 7,200 homes in Ocean City are at-risk for chronic high-tide flooding by 2045, according to a recently released report. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, it has the highest number of at-risk homes in New Jersey.

“Of New Jersey’s beach towns, 10 are projected to have at least 1,500 at-risk homes by 2045,” according to the report. “Ocean City tops the list with more than 7,200 at-risk homes.”

Within the next 30 years, 62,000 homes in New Jersey will be at-risk. This number is topped nationally only by Florida, which has 64,000 at-risk homes.

Additionally, more than one-third of the 14,000 retail properties that are at-risk for chronic flooding are in New Jersey and Florida. In New Jersey, 2,600 commercial properties are at-risk for chronic flooding by 2045.

A majority of the businesses (96 percent) are retail establishments, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores and pharmacies.

Overall, the sea level is expected to rise 2.1 feet in New Jersey by 2045. The warming climate has contributed to sea level rise, according to the report. In New Jersey, factors that result in a warming climate include thermal expansion of warming ocean waters and the sinking, or subsidence, of land due to geological forces, among other factors.

To determine these numbers, the Union of Concerned Scientists looked at zones of chronic flooding across the country and assessment and transaction data from the realtor site, Zillow.

Chronic flooding is defined as street flooding at least 26 times a year. Data for Zillow is collected by county assessors’ offices. The goal of the study was to evaluate the risk of chronic, disruptive flooding to homes along the coast. To view the full methodology, click here.

Scientists and students established the Union of Concerned Scientists in 1969 to call for scientific research directed at environmental and social problems, as opposed to military technologies, according to its website. They have made advancements in clean vehicles, clean energy and tropical forests.

In an effort to stem flooding locally, the OC Flooding Group was established. The Facebook page offers residents the opportunity to post photos of flooding online. The page has over 2,000 members. It is actively working with other flooding groups and scientific groups nationwide.

Founder Suzanne Hornick said her group has been asking the city to develop and utilize a comprehensive island wide flood remediation plan that is both long- and short-term.

“We have been asking to be part of this plan with the city as concerned stakeholders and have been denied and in some cases mocked by the city and Council, yet we preserve in the learning about any and all strategies for flooding remediation,” Hornick said in an email. “The current projects, when and if they ever get completed, make us cautiously optimistic that the areas included will see some relief from flooding, but the city can and should be doing more. This report states many reasons why our flooding is worsening that need to be addressed. As taxpayers and residents we want a safe, dry place to live, raise our families and invest our money.”

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian touted the city's efforts in a statement Monday afternoon.

“Ocean City is taking immediate and pro-active measures to address street flooding and to protect property into the future,” Gillian said. “Risen or rising, extreme tides already are part of life on our barrier island. Ocean City is making unprecedented investments in infrastructure upgrades, revising building codes to require construction at safe elevations and working with outside consultants to study other measures.”

Patch file photo

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