Written by Rebecca Lubot
The horrific flooding in Texas and the recent State of Emergency in New Jersey due to flash flooding, which resulted in heartbreaking deaths, serve as a sobering reminder of the devastating effects flooding can have on local economies, communities, and families. Communities in New Jersey have also experienced expensive flooding in recent years, and the likelihood of flooding in the future is rising.
In towns in New Jersey that are vulnerable to flooding, elected leaders must focus on managing this increasing risk as the hurricane season begins. We must first confront a few unavoidable facts:
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The risk of more frequent, more severe flooding in New Jersey is increasing.
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The costs
in terms of human lives, property damage, property values, and local economies are also on the rise.
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The insurance industry
is responding to this increased risk by raising premiums, reducing coverage, or pulling out of high-risk markets altogether.
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This year, thefederal government has drastically cut
budgets for storm monitoring and alert systems, for disaster recovery assistance, and for environmental regulations and programs that help manage and reduce stormwater runoff.
We are all being alerted by the federal government and the insurance business that New Jersey and other states are essentially on their own when it comes to preventing flooding and coping with its aftermath. This increases the burden of picking up the slack on state and local officials.
The United Despite our resilience, we are vulnerable when we are separated.
Unfortunately, New Jersey is at risk of becoming more exposed to flood risks and the related costs as a result of the partisan extremism that has resulted in the reduction of federal protections and services. However, floodwaters do not discriminate based on cultural or political affiliations.
When it comes to flood risk, we need to work together to safeguard our main street businesses and communities.
Thankfully, our state government has already taken the initiative to pass several laws and rules intended to counteract this escalating danger.
The Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Law, which was passed in 2019, gives county and local governments the authority to establish stormwater utilities. The money that these utilities generate can be used by municipalities to upgrade infrastructure that safeguards the quality of our water and keeps our towns from floods. Recently, Raritan Township and New Brunswick have taken the lead in putting stormwater utilities into place.
Before completing a real estate transaction, landlords and property owners are required by the 2024 Flood Risk Notification Law to advise prospective tenants or buyers of flood threats.
To help communities and businesses become more resilient to flooding, superstorms, and sea level rise, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has recommended amending land-resource protection regulations. The regulations would expedite robust investments in New Jersey’s economy and communities and streamline permitting procedures.
Innovation, investment, and the development of a burgeoning market for sustainable water management techniques have all benefited from these proactive measures.In order to help local communities and businesses become more resilient and sustainable, businesses, universities, and non-profit groups have been creating and deploying green stormwater infrastructure and other technology advances.
Strong in New Jersey
All New Jerseyans now have a greater need to understand what we can do together to make our cities and companies more robust, if necessity inspires self-reliance. By putting green infrastructure into place, stormwater runoff will be decreased.
By putting stormwater utilities into place, municipalities will be able to earn money specifically for infrastructure investments in stormwater management. Putting New Jersey into Practice By adhering to the land use regulations of Protecting Against Climate Threats – Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJPACT REAL), we can avoid the expensive error of constructing in places that are vulnerable to flooding.
The opportunity is expanding along with the risk. New Jersey Strong became the catchphrase that brought us together as we banded together to recover from the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy. It’s time to rekindle that same attitude and take all necessary precautions to shield us from the worst that flooding may do.
To keep making New Jersey a fantastic location to live and work, let’s band together and utilize the resources we already have more effectively.
