The Jersey Shore and Hurricanes

Severe storms usually do not hit the Jersey Shore, which is why this area is an ideal location to own a property. Since record keeping began in 1886, the only hurricane to make direct landfall in New Jersey occurred on September 16, 1903, and its sustained winds were only three miles per hour more than the 74 mph minimum to be classified as a hurricane.

The Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern and Gulf of Mexico portion of the United States experienced 1,092 tropical storms from 1886 to 2006, but only 39 passed within 75 nautical miles of Atlantic City, and only 13 of those had sustained hurricane force winds. The distance from Atlantic City is important because hurricane force winds can be expected within 75 nautical miles of the center of a hurricane.

Historically most hurricanes have veered away from the New Jersey shore. The state is surrounded by deep water that is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which limits the intensity of a hurricane. New Jersey also has a westerly air stream, which tends to push approaching hurricanes out to sea, and its 123-mile coastline is aligned on a north-south axis, which makes it less vulnerable to northeasterly hurricanes.

However, the Atlantic Ocean experiences hurricane cycles that lasts for decades caused by long term shifting of ocean salinity. Scientists have determined that as of 2007, the Atlantic basin is in the middle of an active hurricane cycle that is expected to continue for another decade or longer. This is according to the Department of Atmospheric Science at the Colorado State University.

Should owners of properties at the Jersey Shore be concerned? All owners have a little fear that someday a Hurricane will approach the Jersey Shore, and there always is that chance of the “Perfect Storm” coming. But looking at the facts, The Jersey Shore has a good track record of dodging storms and scientifically, the shore is protected fairly well. Given the odds of a Hurricane devastating the Jersey shore as compared to shores elsewhere in the United States, New Jersey shores are looking pretty good.