Photo: AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock / Getty Images
National Weather Service forecasters predict a significant increase in high tide flooding days in New Jersey this year compared to last. High tide flooding, which typically occurs between October and February, is expected to affect areas from Atlantic City to Sandy Hook. The forecast anticipates 11 to 17 flooding days in these regions, while Cape May may experience eight to 13 days of flooding. Newark Bay, surrounded by Elizabeth, Bayonne, and Newark Airport, is expected to see seven to 12 flooding days this year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these flooding events happen when tide levels rise, causing seawater to overflow inland. The increase in flooding days is attributed to rising sea levels, which are exacerbated by both the rising sea level and the subsiding land in New Jersey. The state's sea level is rising about three millimeters per year, while the land is sinking at the same rate.
Looking ahead, NOAA's decadal projections suggest that coastal flooding days will continue to increase, with around 30 days expected in 2030, 60 in 2040, and over 100 by 2050. This trend underscores the growing impact of climate change on coastal communities in New Jersey.