Sea Level Rise in New Jersey

New Jersey is already experiencing adverse impact to public health, safety, and property due to climate change. From increasingly mild winters, more intense rainfall, chronic flooding, and more intense heat waves, the adverse effects of climate change will only increase in the years to come. None of these impacts are more evident or present a higher risk to New Jersey’s natural resources, economy, culture, and property than sea-level rise.

As identified in the New Jersey’s Rising Seas and Changing Coastal Storms: Report of the 2019 Science and Technical Advisory Panel and the New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change , sea-levels are increasing at a greater rate in New Jersey than other parts of the world. By 2050, it is likely that sea-level rise will meet or exceed 2.1 feet and increase to 5.1 feet by the end of the century. “Sunny day flooding” will occur more often across the entire coastal area with Atlantic City experiencing “sunny day flooding” 95 days a year and a 50% chance it will experience 355 days a year by 2100.

To address this challenge, New Jersey has developed the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy to guide state agencies and Sea-Level Rise Guidance for New Jersey to assist local decision makers plan for and adapt to sea-level rise.

As New Jersey experiences the adverse effects of climate change, governments and institutions must not defer or delay action. The costs of inaction demand that adaptive climate change response strategies be developed now to ensure the continued protection of our people, property, economy, environment, and way of life. To ensure actions are grounded in the best available science DEP will continue to update this guidance as necessary to ensure it continues to reflect the best available scientific information and sea-level rise projections for the State of New Jersey.