| Coastal
Damage Update
(03/129) TRENTON - A Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) survey of New Jersey's
coastline found Hurricane Isabel caused minor to moderate
beach erosion.
"Thankfully, New Jersey's coast escaped
a direct hit from Isabel," DEP Commissioner Bradley
M. Campbell said. "But high tides Thursday afternoon
and early morning today did cause significant impacts to
our coastline. Department engineers are closely monitoring
the situation. "
Beaches with a southeast orientation generally
faired the worst, with moderate erosion causing 2- to 4-foot
vertical cuts in many beaches. Beaches with a more easterly
orientation faired better, generally experiencing only minor
erosion.
Moderate erosion was reported throughout
Monmouth County, regardless of beach orientations, with
northern areas hit hardest. Sections of Monmouth Beach and
Long Branch lost up to 50 horizontal feet of beach, and
parts of Sea Bright lost 40 horizontal feet of sand.
The recent displacement of sand from Hurricane
Fabian and Tropical Storm Henri aggravated erosion in many
areas. The DEP anticipates that offshore sands will migrate
back in the coming months as a result of normal currents.
Commissioner Campbell noted the storm caused
no structural damage along the coast, providing evidence
of the effectiveness of the DEP beach-replenishment program.
Hurricane Isabel made landfall Thursday
afternoon along the Outer Banks of North Carolina and moved
inland over Virginia overnight. The effects from this storm
continue to impact the New Jersey shore with onshore winds
and heavy surf. Additional inspections will be performed
as conditions warrant.
|
