"“Sunny day” flooding is now a thing down the shore, where the tides have risen at twice the global average. Sooner or later, “we’re not going to be able to protect everything everywhere,” one state official says."
"ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. —The briny bay waters flood the parking lot and beer garden at the Vagabond Kitchen & Taphouse—and not just when it rains. Across town, the water gushes up the sidewalk at the El Rinconcito grocery, sometimes leaving manager Jeraldo Diaz with no choice but to close for the day.
Even on sunny days, the water is suddenly there, like a quiet invader, especially when the moon is full and the tide is high.
Scientists say that such flooding, which is known as sunny day flooding or nuisance flooding, is a harbinger of the future. New Jersey’s sea level is rising at about twice the global average, and studies predict that the lowest-lying shore points, including this seaside city known for its beachfront casinos, will experience flooding at an ever-growing rate in the coming years.
The state is now poised to advance a slew of new rules aimed at increasing its resilience to climate change and sea level rise. These regulations, known as Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) regulations, are set to be finalized by the fall, in the waning months of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration."
Emilie Lounsberry reports for Inside Climate News June 3, 2025.
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