From the Star-Ledger, 7/15/25. Why, it's just like being in Texas.

[3Hotdogs]

Last edited Tue Jul 15, 2025, 11:31 PM - Edit history (2)

Front page article: "Flood rules plan reined in...." It describes a proposal to loosen flood (zoning) rules. The new rules would use a new "model" that predicts global temperature rising at 2.7 degrees, rather than the current estimate of 3.3 degrees.

--- in other words, builders will be able to build more shit in more dangerous places.


Then we go to page 3: "Murphy declares state of emergency as flash flooding wreaks havoc." For those of you who don't live here, yesterday say flooding in N.J. Highways were closed, cars were ruined, people were rescued by boat. One house exploded.

Who remembers reading about the Texas floods, where Mystic Camp sought AND GOT a revision of the flood plain flooding estimates in order lower their flood insurance costs.

And assholes in Trenton are going along with this.

[Mossfern]

1. It's nothing new

The County built a facility in a floodway about 15 years ago.

[lapfog_1]

2. Insurance companies will know what is the new reality

pretty soon there won't be any insurance available in large swaths of the USA.

Fire or earthquake in California and west coast. Tornado and flood in the Midwest, Flood in the south and Atlantic coast.

[malaise]

3. Watch the Gulf coast next

Louisiana in particular

[Qutzupalotl]

4. "2.7 degrees, rather than the current estimate of 2.7 degrees."

Um…what?

[3Hotdogs]

5. Corrected --- shit like this happens when ya get old.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Thanks for updating and for the reply.

All good, I made a mistake once too.

[cliffside]

7. More here ... New Jersey modifies proposed building elevation rules along the shore by 1 foot due to new science

https://whyy.org/articles/new-jersey-shore-building-elevation-rules-floodplain/

"Buildings constructed along the Jersey Shore will likely need to comply with more stringent flood elevation standards — but not as restrictive as the state originally proposed...

The state of New Jersey currently requires new buildings in the floodplain to be built 1 foot above FEMA’s standards, which already require elevations as high as 12 feet in places along New Jersey’s coast but are often outdated and do not account for rising flood risk in the future due to climate change.
Under the state’s new proposal, new and significantly renovated buildings within the coastal floodplain would need to be elevated an additional 4 feet.
For example, a home built in a floodplain where the base flood elevation is currently 9 feet would need to be elevated a total of 14 feet above a past sea level measurement. Under the state’s original proposal, the home would have been elevated 15 feet.

The state plans to publish a “Notice of Substantial Change” for the rule in the New Jersey Register next Monday, which will kick off a 60-day public comment period.

Members of the public can also provide written and oral comments during a hearing planned for September. Officials hope to finalize the rule by the end of this year, before Gov. Phil Murphy’s term ends in January 2026."


DEP ANNOUNCES PROPOSED CHANGES TO COASTAL FLOODING REGULATIONS WITH INTENT TO ADOPT BY END OF YEAR

https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/25_0035/

"The proposed changes will be detailed in a Notice of Substantial Changes in the July 21, 2025 edition of the New Jersey Register, and will reflect adjustments to sea-level rise projections and clarify provisions that promote resilient housing and economic development projects, among other important changes. The proposed changes will be open to additional public comment and a hearing in September..."

[IbogaProject]

8. Jersey might be the worst risk of them all

Due to its geography, there are a myriad amount of communities and infrastructure built under 20 feet from sea level. The wealthiest state with the biggest risk this is where the financial implications get very serious.

[3Hotdogs]

9. I think (geographically) Delaware is in more danger.

[IbogaProject]

10. Much more GDP in NJ

Deleware has some schools and the corporate stuff, but that corner of the state isnt sea level.

Location of Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware. Wilmington has an area of about 17 sq mi (44.0 km2) and is 92 ft (28.0 m) above sea level, at the place where the Christina River and Brandywine Creek meet

Now their state may have a greater percent of area at risk but not all their economic assets.

[3Hotdogs]

11. Where I was a teacher, Jersey City, there were several older guys in the men's faculty lounge.

They were all a couple of years from retirement and they had a pipe dream of moving to Delaware for the.tax benefits. They were going to select a small town. Harold was going to be the mayor. That was about 15 years ago and I am pretty sure I can figure out how it ended.