Posted on October 30, 2024
Twelve years ago, Hurricane Sandy forever changed the landscape of New York and New Jersey’s coastlines, leaving behind more than $50 billion in damages. In the aftermath, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, embarked on a mission of monumental importance: to rebuild, restore, and protect the vulnerable shorelines. Today, those efforts stand as a testament to resilience, innovation, and long-term planning. The New York District’s coastal restoration and storm risk management projects have transformed these coastal communities, ensuring they are better prepared for future storms and rising sea levels.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, embarked on a comprehensive mission to restore the region’s coastlines. This effort focused on beach nourishment, dune construction, and berm reinforcement to mitigate future flood risks and enhance long-term resilience. Funded by the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, these projects were developed in close collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, creating a concerted effort to protect communities from the effects of future storms.
One of the most significant restoration efforts was the $125 million project in Long Beach, New York. This initiative involved the construction of four new groins, rehabilitation of 18 existing groins, and the placement of over four million cubic yards of sand along the shoreline. Completed in 2019, this project not only protected the community from storm surges but also transformed Long Beach into a model of coastal defense. The reinforced dunes and expanded beach serve as a critical buffer against the ocean’s forces, making Long Beach a shining example of successful post-Sandy recovery.
In Coney Island, New York, another important project was completed in 2016. This $28 million endeavor focused on constructing four new T-groins and placing sand along the beach to shield the area from storm surges and erosion. Coney Island, which had been severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, benefited greatly from these enhancements, creating a more sustainable and resilient shoreline that can withstand future storms.
The Fire Island to Moriches Inlet project represents one of the largest undertakings in the New York District’s post-Sandy efforts. This $291 million restoration initiative placed over seven million cubic yards of sand along the Long Island shoreline, restoring dunes to their original specifications and improving the area’s resilience. Completed in 2020, the project provides enhanced protection for both residents and local ecosystems, ensuring that these vulnerable areas are better prepared for future coastal threats.
Building on these lessons from Hurricane Sandy, the New York District continues to implement long-term solutions that integrate both natural and structural protection measures. One of the most significant ongoing efforts is the $702 million Rockaway Beach project, which involves constructing reinforced dunes, groins, and natural coastal features to protect this critical part of New York City from future storms and rising sea levels. Scheduled for completion in 2026, this project aims to ensure the long-term safety and resilience of the Rockaway community.
Additionally, the Fire Island to Montauk Point project, valued at $1.8 billion, seeks to protect over 80 miles of Long Island’s coastline. This comprehensive initiative includes beach nourishment, home elevations, flood-proofing measures, and the development of a breach response plan. Once complete, the project will provide enhanced coastal defenses, addressing the growing threats posed by coastal storms and sea-level rise.
These restoration projects underscore the New York District’s ongoing commitment to building resilient coastlines and safeguarding vulnerable communities in the face of future environmental challenges.
One of the largest ongoing projects, this nearly 5-mile-long seawall is being built along Staten Island’s East Shore to protect against storm surge flooding. This crucial initiative will safeguard communities like South Beach and Midland Beach, providing long-term security from storms larger than Sandy.
Since Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has not only repaired damaged infrastructure but has created a legacy of coastal resilience. Through projects like Long Beach, Coney Island, and Fire Island to Montauk Point, the District has transformed vulnerable shorelines into fortified barriers against future storms while preserving the natural beauty and recreational value of these communities. In New Jersey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has been instrumental in bolstering coastal resilience and reducing flood risks across several communities since Hurricane Sandy. One of the key areas of focus has been the Sea Bright to Manasquan project, which involved a comprehensive beach nourishment initiative to restore and protect the Jersey Shore. This effort, completed with the placement of millions of cubic yards of sand, has helped to reinforce the region’s dunes and beaches, providing critical protection against coastal storms. The project not only shields homes and businesses from potential storm surges but also restores the recreational vitality of the area, which is crucial for both the local economy and residents’ quality of life.
Another major accomplishment in New Jersey was the completion of the Union Beach Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project, which began following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. This $382 million initiative includes a series of levees, floodwalls, and dunes, designed to defend Union Beach and surrounding areas from future storm surges. The project also incorporates beach nourishment and terminal groins to help maintain the shoreline. The Army Corps’ efforts in this area are aimed at reducing flooding while creating long-term solutions for erosion control, ensuring that this coastal community is better prepared for future storms and rising sea levels.
The Port Monmouth project, valued at $265 million, has also been a critical part of New Jersey’s post-Sandy coastal restoration. This comprehensive initiative involves the construction of levees, floodwalls, and tide gates, along with beach nourishment and dune restoration, to enhance the resilience of Port Monmouth and its neighboring communities. The project is designed to mitigate the risk of future flooding by creating barriers that will absorb the impact of storm surges. These efforts, along with ongoing monitoring and maintenance, help ensure that New Jersey’s coastal towns remain protected from the increasing threat of extreme weather events.
In the years since Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has played a pivotal role in transforming vulnerable coastal regions across New York and New Jersey into fortified, resilient communities. Through a series of large-scale beach nourishment projects, the construction of levees, floodwalls, and groins, and the restoration of vital dunes, the District has helped to shield millions of residents from the increasing threats of coastal storms and rising sea levels. These efforts, backed by significant federal investment and collaboration with state and local partners, have not only repaired the physical damage left in Sandy’s wake but have also laid the groundwork for long-term protection and sustainability. From Long Beach and Coney Island in New York to Sea Bright and Union Beach in New Jersey, these projects stand as a testament to the power of strategic planning and engineering in the face of climate change. As the New York District continues to work on ongoing projects like Rockaway Beach and Fire Island to Montauk Point, the commitment to resilience, safety, and environmental stewardship remains at the heart of its mission.
Aerial image from September 7, 2013 shows a completed portion of a beach in Sea Bright New Jersey as restoration work continues. The Corps is placing roughly 8 million cubic yards of sand from Sea Bright to Manasquan Inlet to replace sand lost during Hurricane Sandy and restore the project area to its original design. This is being done to restore the previously built risk reduction beach project and help reduce coastal storm risks to the community in the future.
