Live Avalon/Ingram’s Thorofare Tide Information

The New Jersey Coastal Coalition

Avalon is a very active community in the New Jersey Coastal Coalition.  The Borough participates in an information-sharing opportunity with other coastal communities in the State of New Jersey to provide better resiliency, planning, and education about flooding and storm threats to our region.  The benefits to the Borough of Avalon for being part of this Coalition are limitless.  In 2017, the Borough of Avalon partnered with the Coalition and our sister community of Longport to install flood monitoring sensors in our community.  The information collected from these sensors will help plan for future mitigation efforts in the Borough.  The Borough is also very active in a public information partnership with the Coalition’s communities.  The sharing of this information allows the Borough to increase points in the federal Community Rating System (CRS) program which currently provides 25 percent discounts to property owners; Avalon is a Class 5 community in the CRS and intends to get a higher rating, and further discounts, before the end of 2018.

The Coalition has a very active website where you can learn more about flooding issues in the State of New Jersey.  Visit the website at New Jersey Coastal Coalition website  Also, the Coalition maintains a very active social media presence that includes the latest forecasts, live streams, and educational videos regarding flooding issues all along the Jersey Shore.  The Coalition is proud to partner with longtime meteorologist Dan Skeldon on these videos.  Here is a link to the Coalition’s Facebook page    New Jersey Coastal Coalition Facebook Page

Where Does it Typically Flood in Avalon?

The flood risk in Avalon is largely dependent on a variety of factors.  They include if the flooding is from a heavy rain event, a tidal flooding event, flooding from the ocean, and the severity of the risk.  Avalon’s flood risk is different in our neighborhoods.  For instance, the north end beach blocks of Avalon typically do not flood during a tidal flooding event, but may flood during a heavy rainstorm event.  A major tidal flooding event can put flood waters on parts of Dune Drive, Ocean Drive, and west or the north end bridges.  A moderate tidal flooding event may keep water off most of Dune Drive, but impact Ocean Drive.  That’s why it is very important to follow the updates on our emergency communication channels.

Avalon has developed a flood risk map that you can use for your planning purposes.  This information is general in nature, and includes a color legend that is helpful to match up the anticipated flooding event to the actual conditions in town.  Each storm is different, so this map should be used only for guidance purposes:

2018 Avalon North End Flood Study

The Borough of Avalon received a study from the engineering firm Mott MacDonald regarding flooding issues in the northern end of the community.  The report was presented to the Avalon Borough Council on May 23, 2018.  This report intends to address solutions to street flooding during rain events that produce several inches of rain in a short period of time.  This is a full copy of the report: Avalon North End Drainage Study Report 2018

How Can I Get Information About a Flood/Storm Event in Avalon?

There are many ways to get information regarding a storm or flood event in Avalon.  Your first choice should always be Avalon’s special emergency management website, Avalon Emergency Management website  This website will provide you with the latest information on flood threats, storms, and other emergencies in the Borough.  You can also visit the Avalon municipal website for information about the Borough, and updates on flood-related or storm-related event cancellations or delays.  If you are a Comcast television customer, while in Avalon you can view Channel 97 which is Avalon’s local public access station.  Also in Avalon, you can listen to 1630AM, Avalon’s official emergency alert radio station.  And, you can get information on Avalon’s Facebook page where updates are provided.

Does Avalon Consistently Review Flood Mitigation Activities?

Yes.  The Borough is one of the few communities in the region who has a stand-along flood mitigation committee that meets several times throughout the year and presents the Avalon Borough Council will its own stand-alone flood mitigation report.  The report details new ideas, objectives, and short and long term planning goals.  One of the biggest benefits of the committee was the development of our advisory flood risk guide map that appears on this website.  To view the Avalon Flood Mitigation Report that was approved by Avalon Borough Council in December, 2017 click here  Avalon 2017 Flood Mitigation Report

When I am in Avalon, Where Can I Speak to Someone About Flood Information?

The Avalon Construction Office is a great place to stop when you are in Avalon.  Avalon Borough Hall is located on the northwest corner of 32nd Street and Dune Drive in Avalon.  Come in the front door, and the first office on your right is the Avalon Construction Office.  You will be able to speak with construction officials, pick up various FEMA and other related documentation regarding flooding and flood risks in Avalon, get elevation certificates, and more.  The contact information for the Avalon Construction Office is here.

Is There a Way to See Data/Video of Tidal Flooding?

Yes, there is.  The United States Geological Service has a tide gauge in Avalon that shows historical and real-time data of the bay water on the west side of Avalon.  You can see the data on the gauge by clicking on this link.  Our partners at the nearby Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, located on Stone Harbor Boulevard in Middle Township, offer a variety of real-time cameras that show tidal and marsh conditions.  You can view the camera options here.

Avalon Base Flood Elevation Information

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided a useful tool for property owners in Avalon to determine their base flood elevation.  You can simply click on the link, enter in the address, and get the information that you require.  Click here to use the link  FEMA Base Flood Elevation Lookup Link

Flood Infor­ma­tion Links

Helpful Documents and Materials Available at the Avalon Construction Office and at the Avalon Free Public Library

  1. Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)
  2. Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program F-084 (2011)
  3. Coastal Construction Manual FEMA-P-55 (2011)
  4. Elevated Residential Structures FEMA-54 (1984)
  5. Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines F-083 (2007)
  6. Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards FEMA P-85 (2009)
  7. Mitigation of flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas FEMA-257 (1994)
  8. Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage FEMA-P-348 (1999)
  9. Protecting Flood Plain Resources FEMA-268 (1996)
  10. Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding FEMA 511 (2005)