Gov. Sherrill requests federal aid for Jersey beaches after damaging September nor'easter
News 12 meteorologists have recognized the El Nino pattern and the potential for more coastal storms this winter.
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As shore towns are still trying to add up the damage costs from September’s nor’easter, Gov. Mikie Sherrill asked for emergency federal funds to help Jersey Beaches recover.
Local surfer Nick Gardella looks over the 8-foot-tall cliff on Bridge Avenue in Bay Head. Two things caught his attention, another potential round of high surf next week and the damage left behind from September.
“It’s not like anything I’ve seen in a long time. I can’t really remember seeing anything like this. It’s pretty crazy to see,” said Nick Gardella, of Point Pleasant Beach.
Further south, in areas like North Wildwood, severe erosion prompted the Cape May Commissioners to call for Gov. Sherrill to request federal funds to build back the dunes. Last week, Rep. Van Drew met with Ocean County leaders on Long Beach Island. The governor announced her request for emergency federal aid for Army Corps projects from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
“We need desperately money to repair our beaches. It's totally unsafe,” said Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis.
In Bay Head, the storm left every beach entrance compromised; most are still closed. The mayor’s plea follows a somewhat contentious relationship between Bay Head and the Army Corps as their requests for a dune pushed further back toward the homes has gone unanswered.
For years Bay Head leaders have maintained damage to dunes and beach erosion is the result of poor planning by the Army Corps. After their most recent meeting, the mayor and president of the Improvement Association say they are making strides for future work.
“I think we’re developing a much better working relationship with them as the mayor and council have shown, but we’re going to be looking for some help to get us back into a safe condition,” said Bill Gage, the president of the Bay Head Improvement Association, the organization that oversees the beaches there.
News 12 meteorologists have recognized the El Nino pattern and the potential for more coastal storms this winter. What, if any, money is offered by the feds will now wait to be seen as forecasters turn their attention to a possible coastal offshore storm next week.
