The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District began inspecting its projects for damages and carrying out post-storm missions following historic Hurricane Sandy.
Inspections are scheduled for a number of Army Corps of Engineers projects in the region, including coastal projects in New Jersey and Delaware, dams in eastern Pennsylvania and navigational channels in rivers and inlets. District Commander Lt. Col. Chris Becking inspected the Absecon Island beach nourishment project in Atlantic City and Ventnor on Oct. 30.
“ Our priorities have been the safety of the public and supporting our federal, state and local partners however possible in the immediate aftermath and response of the storm, ” said Becking . “ We are now looking at our projects to see how they performed and checking on any damages. ”
Survey teams are conducting initial assessments specifically along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts. Coastal engineers will participate in a flyover Oct. 31 to assess damages and conditions along the two coastlines.
The District has 12 Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Projects, also known as beachfill or beach nourishment, that have been constructed, and in some cases undergone periodic nourishment. They include sections of Long Beach Island; Brigantine Island; Atlantic City & Ventnor City; Ocean City; 7-Mile Island (includes Avalon & Stone Harbor); Cape May City and Lower Cape May Meadows in NJ and Lewes; Dewey & Rehoboth; Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass; Bethany & South Bethany; and Fenwick Island in Delaware. The projects typically include a dune and berm system that is designed to reduce storm damages to the communities and infrastructure behind them.
The Philadelphia District is also carrying out other post-storm missions, including supporting the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure safe navigation along the Delaware River. The District’s Power Planning & Response Team deployed to Lakehurst, NJ under a FEMA mission assignment to help restore emergency power needs.
Established in 1866, the Philadelphia District manages water resources of the Delaware River basin; builds facilities for the Army and Air Force; and provides engineering and environmental services for other agencies. We serve more than nine million people across portions of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
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Press Release, November 1, 2012; Image: usace