Hurricanes and Flooding on Long Beach Island

Concerns About Future Storms on Long Beach Island

Hurricanes and Flooding on Long Beach Island

Hurricane Sandy and the LBI Real Estate Market

Hurricane Sandy made landfall on Long Beach Island at the end of October 2012. The storm was massive in size and impact that LBI at a full moon and at high tide. In other words, Hurricane Sandy could not have picked a worse time to make landfall. The damage caused to Long Beach Island was significant and for the first time in recent memory raised concerns hurricanes and flooding on Long Beach Island. Concerns about future storms are indeed valid and they should be understood and recognized by anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the LBI real estate market.

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Hurricanes and Flooding on Long Beach Island

In many ways, Hurricane Sandy has helped to safeguard Long Beach Island against future storms. There have been two major improvements to Long Beach Island since Hurricane Sandy. They are:

  • Beach replenishment projects have been approved to strengthen the beaches and dune systems
  • New building codes and height limits have made LBI more storm ready

Beach replenishment was already underway before Hurricane Sandy made landfall. This process involves taking sand from the ocean floor and depositing it on the beaches. This creates a large and sound do system with a wider beach they can better absorb the impact of a storm. When Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the towns of Harvey Cedars, Surf City, and parts of Brant Beach had completed their beach replenishment projects and as a result, these areas experienced less damage. When the rest of Long Beach Island completes the beach replenishment project, LBI will be more storm ready and better able to handle a hurricane.

New building codes and extensive renovations on Long Beach Island have made the area more storm ready. Thanks to assistance from flood insurance, many homes there were previously at risk for flooding have been raised well above the base flood elevations. In the event of another storm impacting Long Beach Island, these homes should experienced little to no damage. It is nearly impossible to drive down a street on Long Beach Island without seeing a multitude of new construction or raised homes. Much of this was a direct result of Hurricane Sandy and thanks to the new building codes, these homes are ready to whether the next storm.

Hurricanes and the Long Beach Island Real Estate Market

It is interesting to point out that nationwide, real estate values actually increase in the wake of a natural disaster. This has certainly been the case on Long Beach Island with the LBI real estate market seeing a significant improvement after Hurricane Sandy. With literally millions of dollars having been invested in the LBI area and new construction taking place everywhere, the overall property values have improved. It is impossible to say when the next storm will make landfall on Long Beach Island, however living on a barrier island is a virtual certainty a number storm will make landfall at some point. When that time comes, LBI will be more ready and will be able to absorb the impact of the storm. For more information about hurricanes and flooding on Long Beach Island for the LBI real estate market in general, CONTACT MEĀ and I will respond right away.

By : Nathan Colmer | The Van Dyk Group

Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com

www.BuyLBI.com

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