Barrier Brief: Strathmere, New Jersey — A Frontline in Coastal Change

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 volume.

The challenge in Strathmere isn’t just rebuilding after storms — it’s keeping pace with a living, shifting coastal system. Wave energy, longshore drift, and the lack of natural sediment replenishment all play a role in the island’s retreat. Each storm season tests the limits of traditional beach nourishment and dune restoration, often undoing months of effort in a single tide cycle.

For the people who live and work here, it’s become a cycle of resilience — watching the dunes fall, rebuilding them, and hoping the next tide gives more than it takes. The coastline is changing faster than ever.