Major Storms of the Jersey Shore: The history of the Jersey shore is punctuated by devastating storms followed by periods of growth & renovation in their aftermath. Keansburg has suffered through more than a few major storms and hurricanes in its time.
In many ways the development of the town was altered by storms as much as urban renewal, jet travel and the U.S. highway system. The advent of commercial air travel and the consolidation of interstate highways allowed urban dwellers to travel farther than they had before. This nationwide grid often by-passed local towns like Keansburg.
Urban Renewal (The Housing Act of 1954) brought large tracts of public housing which some believe contributed to a decline in the town's reputation. Public housing deflated property values as several seasonal hotels became permanent residence for families on welfare assistance.
However, it was major storms like Hurricane Donna in 1960, that signaled an end to the town's heyday as a premier holiday resort. Poor economic conditions made rebuilding less desirable to developers.
The town has made considerable improvements to its infrastructure and development since the early oughts. However, the affects of global warming and climate change will continue to contribute to a greater frequency and severity of storms along the Eastern shoreline. Below are just a few of the major weather events of the past century.
The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944: An intense category 2 storm dropping more than 10 inches of rain in 24hrs on the Raritan Bay area. This storm caused significant damage to the boardwalk and low lying areas of Keansburg. 390 lives were lost in the hurricane but only 46 on land due to planned evacuations.
Hurricane Carol of 1954: Category 3 hurricane was the costliest storm in the history of the US at the time. The high winds and high waves cause significant damage to the New Jersey coastline. Only two lives were lost in New Jersey, due to downed power lines. 68 lives were lost to the storm throughout the US.
Hurricane Donna of 1960: The only hurricane to affect every state on the East coast with hurricane force winds. The storm briefly reached Category 5 while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This storm signalled an end to the town's heyday as a premiere resort as the dock which was extensively damaged was not rebuilt. The ferry service operated from other ports for a few more years but was effectively abandoned in favor of the Blue Line Bus service. The Blue Line eventually became Academy Bus that still operates today.
(See Keansburg Steamboat Company)
Hurricane Irene of 2011: The Seventh costliest hurricane in U.S. history struck in late August causing 15.6 billion dollars in damage. The storm killed seven people in New Jersey and 1 billion dollars in damage. Flooding and wind damage caused power outages throughout the region for several days.
Hurricane Sandy of 2012: The superstorm was the second costliest in U.S. history and its effects are still felt years later. The storm affected 24 states but was most severely felt in New York and New Jersey. The storm caused 75 billion dollars in damage and took 233 lives. Many homes were lost to flooding and storm damage. Most of the shore area was without electricity for several weeks. The combination of high tides, a full moon, global warming and high pressure system over Canada exacerbated the storms affect.
Beach Erosion on the Raritan Bay
See Also: List of New Jersey Hurricanes; Living With The Jersey Shore
While it wasn’t classed as a hurricane, the Great Appalachian Storm of Thanksgiving Weekend 1950 included hurricane-force winds and a huge tidal surge. Hitting Raritan Bay in Nov. 25, 1950 it wiped out piers, homes, and many waterfront facilities. The Keansburg Steamboat Company’s reserve slip was destroyed, and three of the company’s ships, including the stately City of New York were swept away and left beaches high and dry further up the bay. Damage was so extensive that all three were scrapped on the spot over the summer of 1952.
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