Nor’easter Drives Record Beach Erosion in Atlantic City Since Hurricane Sandy, Northern Boardwalk Section Hardest Hit
A September nor’easter produced Atlantic City’s highest water levels since Hurricane Sandy and its worst beach erosion since 2012. The northern Boardwalk half-mile from Hard Rock past Ocean Casino Resort was hardest hit despite a recent $40M restoration. The Boardwalk is intact with ample beach remaining, though colder months may bring more erosion. (58 words)
SCCG Take — This out-of-season nor’easter exposes the chronic vulnerability of Atlantic City’s northern shoreline. Operators and regulators must treat ongoing sand restoration as core infrastructure maintenance, not seasonal upkeep.
A rare September nor’easter battered Atlantic City, producing the highest water levels since Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the most beach erosion the shoreline has seen since that storm.
Atlantic City Beach Patrol Deputy Chief Dave Russo described the nor’easter as one big beach eater. Russo said it comes right at you like a Pac-Man and takes away so much of the beach.
Northern Boardwalk Section Sustains Heaviest Damage
The hardest-hit area was the half-mile stretch from Hard Rock north past Ocean Casino Resort. The northern end of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is most prone to erosion, as the beach there forms a natural bottleneck where ocean currents aggressively strip away sand.
That same stretch had received a $40 million two-year sand restoration project completed in early 2025 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared states of emergency for Atlantic County and other storm-battered counties. Sherrill said the Department of Environmental Protection assessed beaches before the storm to properly track any damage and that she is aware of significant beach erosion.
Boardwalk Intact but Erosion Risks Remain
Russo said the Boardwalk sustained no damage and that ample beach space remains for visitors, particularly as the city enters its non-prime shoulder season. He warned that the damage might not be done, with further erosion possible during the colder months.
Through August the nine casinos won $2 billion from in-person slot machines and table games. That figure is 1.8% above last year. According to Casino.org News, the nor’easter underscores the persistent erosion pressures on a shoreline already shaped by rising sea levels and frequent coastal storms.
The continuing threat of beach loss in off-season months will require close tracking by local officials and the casinos that depend on summer beach traffic.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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