Flooding in New Jersey, March 5 to 9, 2001

An intensifying coastal low pressure system brought a protracted period of tidal flooding and beach erosion to coastal New Jersey from the 5th through the 9th. The highest tides (just reached moderate levels) occurred the morning of the 7th. The first high tide that brought minor tidal flooding was during the morning of the 5th. Winds shifted into the northwest that afternoon and brought few tidal problems (although minor erosion continued) during the second half of the 5th and on the 6th. But on the 6th, the low pressure system was caught by its upper low at higher levels of the atmosphere and started to move back (retrograde) toward the coast. The low began moving farther offshore for good on the 7th. The combination of the onshore flow and the high astronomical tides because of the full moon produced tidal flooding on the 7th and the mornings of the 8th and 9th. The highest tide for this event was 7.7 feet above mean lower low water at both Sandy Hook and Cape May on the morning of the 7th. The effects of the tides and erosion varied from shore community to community. Most locations only suffered minor tidal flooding and erosion. A few though were hit harder. In Monmouth County, in Ocean Grove 150 of 200 yards of beach replenishment sand was submerged by the tides. In Sea Bright, three to four feet of erosion occurred at the north end of the town. On the Shrewsbury River side, minor tidal flooding occurred on Center, Beach and Surf Streets. In Ocean County, significant erosion occurred in Brick Township as 50 feet of beach was lost. A voluntary evacuation was suggested on the 3rd for residents of Long Beach Island. It was later cancelled. In Long Beach Township, five foot cliffs were cut by the surf. In Brant Beach, erosion was described as the worst on 51st and 79th Streets. In Cape May County, severe erosion was reported in North Wildwood. Fifty feet of beach was lost on Third and Fourth Avenues and erosion extended south to 13th Avenue. Several dunes were destroyed. Significant erosion also occurred on the Second Avenue Beach on Hereford Inlet.