Looking back: Twelve years of coastal restoration in NY and NJ

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 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.

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.

Also, 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.

Read more about the New York District’s coastal restoration and storm risk management projects.