CAPE MAY—New Jersey faces a converging environmental infrastructure crisis as a new study reveals catastrophic flood risk exposure across Hudson, Cape May, and Atlantic counties.
The Rebuild by Design initiative released "NJ Underwater: Public Infrastructure at Risk" on April 8, documenting that 41 percent of Jersey City’s public assets, 281 of 686 properties, currently sit in flood zones. That figure is projected to reach 58 percent by 2050. This urban vulnerability parallels coastal threats, where the Army Corps of Engineers anticipates awarding contracts in summer 2026 for urgent beach nourishment projects.
Urban and Coastal Vulnerabilities Converge
The economic exposure is projected to reach $435.9 billion in property value statewide by 2050, with $5.9 billion in annual tax revenue at risk from flooding of critical infrastructure. In Cape May County, over 50 percent of county assets will reside in flood zones by 2050, prompting the Army Corps to prioritize emergency beachfill contracts valued at $10 million to $20 million for the Cape May Inlet.
The infrastructure threat extends beyond coastal counties. While Cape May and Atlantic counties host the most vulnerable oceanfront assets, Hudson County’s dense urban infrastructure faces compound risks from sea level rise and legacy contamination. Of the county’s assets, 44.1 percent currently face flood risk, a figure that increases to 56.4 percent by 2050. The affected areas encompass all four of the county’s active Superfund sites and four of five wastewater treatment plants.
Legislative Response and Federal Procurement
State legislative records show a limited degree of bipartisan response, with Democrats advancing most statewide flood prevention legislation. The bills that became the Flood Disclosure Act (P.L. 2023 c.94) were sponsored by a number of Democratic state lawmakers before it reached Governor Phil Murphy’s desk.
But Republican legislators have introduced parallel measures. Republican Senator Kristin Corrado and Assemblymen Christopher DePhillips and Al Barlas, all of the 40th District) cosponsored funding to address river flooding in their district. The actions suggest that Republican lawmakers also recognize the risks of flooding, especially in districts prone to such disasters.
Beach Restoration Contracts Likely Awarded This Summer
The Army Corps Philadelphia District’s presolicitation for beach renourishment closed on April 6. It will sponsor sand restoration and other renourishment processes from Cape May Inlet to Lower Township. This timeline mirrors a September 2023 award of $16.1 million to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company for previous Cape May beachfill work.
At time of writing, the Army Corps has not yet released any information about bids for the presolicitation. Contract awards are anticipated this summer.
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Sources
• Rebuild by Design, "A Third Of New Jersey’s Public Infrastructure At Flood Risk By 2050, Includes: Schools, Hospitals, Fire Stations, Wastewater Treatment Facilities" (April 8, 2026)
• Dan Israel, "Rebuild by Design analysis: Nearly 41% of Jersey City public assets in flood zones," Hudson County View (April 8, 2026)
• "These Jersey Shore Communities Could Be Underwater By 2050, New Study Says," Patch (April 10, 2026)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, "Presolicitation Notice W912BU26BA019: Urgent Beach Nourishment Cape May Inlet to Lower Township Cape May, Cape May County, NJ" (March 20, 2026).
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District "Army Corps awards contract for Cape May City beachfill project," (September 12, 2023).
• New Jersey Legislature, P.L. 2023 c.94 "Flood Risk Notification Law" (effective March 20, 2024).
• Kristin Corrado, " North Jersey Lawmakers Propose Funding to Address Peckman River Flooding" (February 28, 2024).