User:Mwinog2777/flooding

Flood hazard zones, Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

Woodbridge, New Jersey, area inundated by Woodbridge River after Hurricane Sandy (Source: USGS Sandy Storm Tide Mapper)

Woodbridge's geographical features make it prone to repeated flooding. It is surrounded by water on three sides, the Arthur Kill, a tidal strait to the east, and tidal rivers to the south, Raritan River, and north, Rahway River; and, much of the developed land in Woodbridge has low elevations, as little as five feet above sea level. About 19% of Woodbridge Township lies within FEMA's flood hazard area. There is a long history of tidal flooding along the Woodbridge River in Woodbridge Proper, the Raritan in Keasbey and the Arthur Kill in Sewaren and Port Reading. In addition to tidal flooding, fluvial flooding is common. Woodbridge streams and rivers have been described as having a "high flow, flashy nature." The land is relatively impervious, and flooding is exacerbated by steep slopes and urban cover. Flooding in the South Branch Rahway River and Pumpkin Patch Brook hazard zones is predominantly fluvial. Prolonged coastal storms (nor'easters), which combine tidal and fluvial flooding, along with flow constrictions, cause an increase in the duration of flooding of the Woodbridge River and its tributaries, Heards Brook and Wedgewood Brook, which may last for days before water levels subside. When the Sandy came to this area, it was "characterized as a tsunami-like water wall," destroying adjoining homes. After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program, Woodbridge bought out and demolished many residential properties in the flood hazard areas. The Woodbridge River flood zone has become a part of the restoration plan for the riparian environment. Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change." As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass," to help absorb water from rising sea levels. In Woodbridge not everybody wants to sell; 2050, when the properties have a high probability of severe damage from rising sea levels, seems too far in the future for some. These holdouts interfere with the goal of land buffers, entire blocks, between rivers and homes.

Flood hazard zones, Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

Woodbridge, New Jersey, area inundated by Woodbridge River after Hurricane Sandy (Source: USGS Sandy Storm Tide Mapper)

Woodbridge's geographical features make it prone to repeated flooding. It is surrounded by water on three sides, the Arthur Kill, a tidal strait to the east, and tidal rivers to the south, Raritan River, and north, Rahway River; and, much of the developed land in Woodbridge has low elevations, as little as five feet above sea level. About 19% of Woodbridge Township lies within FEMA's flood hazard area. There is a long history of tidal flooding along the Woodbridge River in Woodbridge Proper, the Raritan in Keasbey and the Arthur Kill in Sewaren and Port Reading. In addition to tidal flooding, fluvial flooding is common. Woodbridge streams and rivers have been described as having a "high flow, flashy nature." The land is relatively impervious, and flooding is exacerbated by steep slopes and urban cover. Flooding in the South Branch Rahway River and Pumpkin Patch Brook hazard zones is predominantly fluvial. Prolonged coastal storms (nor'easters), which combine tidal and fluvial flooding, along with flow constrictions, cause an increase in the duration of flooding of the Woodbridge River and its tributaries, Heards Brook and Wedgewood Brook, which may last for days before water levels subside. Frequency of flooding has increased over time. Sea levels are rising and residential areas have moved into previous marsh land, decreasing the ability of the land to absorb excess water. A 1770 map shows that all land surrounding the Woodbridge River was salt marshes. In October 2012, New Jersey was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and Woodbridge suffered significant flood damage. The most affected neighborhood from Hurricane Sandy, Watson-Cramptom, an area adjacent to the Woodbridge River; prior to 2009 this area was zoned for high density residential housing, including an area of wetlands and meadows. When the Sandy came to this area, it was "characterized as a tsunami-like water wall," destroying adjoining homes. After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program, Woodbridge bought out and demolished many residential properties in the flood hazard areas. The Woodbridge River flood zone has become a part of the restoration plan for the riparian environment. Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change." As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass," to help absorb water from rising sea levels. In Woodbridge not everybody wants to sell; 2050, when the properties have a high probability of severe damage from rising sea levels, seems too far in the future for some. These holdouts interfere with the goal of land buffers, entire blocks, between rivers and homes.