New Jersey is implementing a combination of buyout initiatives and physical barriers to combat flooding in two areas that are particularly at risk.
This week, officials revealed financing plans to purchase and demolish homes located in flood-affected zones in Cranford, a community in Union County situated approximately 20 miles southwest of New York City.
They also announced funding for the advancement of a project aimed at constructing floodwalls, levees, and other protective measures in Middletown, located in northern Monmouth County.
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is designating $3.5 million for the buyouts in Cranford, as part of the Blue Acres program, which focuses on acquiring and demolishing homes in areas that have historically faced flood damage.
Nick Angarone, the Chief Resilience Officer for the department, emphasized in a statement that the state is dedicated to establishing a comprehensive climate resilience strategy, aimed at enhancing safety for both lives and properties.
He explained, “Despite our efforts, buyouts are often the most effective means to guarantee the safety and welfare of property owners by relocating them out of endangered zones.”
Cranford is no stranger to severe flooding, having experienced significant impacts during Tropical Storm Ida in 2021.
The buyout options are voluntary. Since its inception in 1995, the state has successfully acquired around 1,200 homes situated in flood-prone regions, which are predominantly around rivers.
However, the program has encountered difficulties in finding consenting sellers along coastal areas, which were heavily affected during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, as many property owners deem the land too financially valuable to relinquish.
Additionally, this week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers disclosed a nearly $62 million contract awarded for the Port Monmouth storm reduction program in Middletown.
This initiative encompasses the construction of floodwalls and levees, enhancements to drainage systems, and the adoption of environmentally sound practices to safeguard the region’s natural resources.
Middletown, located near Raritan Bay and about 45 miles south of New York City, also suffered extensive damages from Sandy.
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, a Democrat who serves the area, commented, “This project was initiated as a commitment made after Sandy—to rebuild more intelligently, more robustly, and better shield our communities from climate threats.”
He added, “With this last phase getting underway, Port Monmouth will finally gain the essential protection it requires for the future.”