Weathering SuperStorm Sandy

On October 29, 2012, Union Beach, New Jersey experienced a post-tropical cyclone, Hurricane Sandy. The storm’s impact led to a presidential emergency declaration (FEMA-EM-3354) for the state, followed by a major presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-DR-4086). The Bayshore Regional Sewerage (BRSA) Facility, located in Union Beach, NJ was among critical infrastructure severely impacted.The 16MGD Bayshore Facility sits two-feet below the 100-year flood zone and was inundated by storm surge from the Raritan Bay covering the entire 24-acre site with up to 40 inches of salt water. Major damage occurred to equipment located inside critical infrastructure causing equipment and systems to cease functioning for days, weeks and even months.The authors present an overview of vulnerable components of wastewater utilities, consequences of lost functionality, prioritizing critical assets for mitigation, identifying an appropriate level of protection, and financing options for restoration, recovery, and mitigation.