Strathmere, New Jersey, sits on one of the state’s most dynamic stretches of coastline — a narrow barrier island constantly reshaped by tides, wind, and storm surge. Over the past decade, erosion and sea level rise have steadily cut down dune height and narrowed the beach, leaving homes, roads, and infrastructure increasingly vulnerable to flooding. Even moderate storms now push water across low-lying streets, cutting off access and accelerating the loss of protective sand vo