New Jersey recently joined nine other states on MyCoast – an online platform that allows the public to document tides, storm damage, and beach cleanups. Using the MyCoast: New Jersey portal, residents can upload photos of coastal flooding events in their communities. MyCoast links the photos to data about weather and tides to create reports that help government agencies, business owners, and residents understand coastal changes and make informed decisions.
The state launched the new service with a contest that coincided with the King Tides occurring in late May. The highest predicted tides of the year, King Tides often cause flooding that represents a preview of how and where sea level rise will affect local landscapes. Documenting these flood impacts helps plan for the future and ground-truth local sea level rise models.
During the launch contest, citizen scientists submitted more than 75 photos of flooding in their communities. This month, the public can vote for the photos that best showcase the vulnerability or resilience of people, places, and things impacted by flooding in New Jersey’s coastal communities. Winners will be chosen from three categories based on the source of flooding in the photo: Ocean, Bay, and River/Stream.
