A recent case study has examined the cultural and institutional factors that contribute to repeated flood losses in coastal communities, focusing on Ortley Beach, a neighborhood in Toms River, New Jersey. The research looked at how decisions about rebuilding after major storms are influenced by differing values and beliefs among stakeholders.
The study involved 32 interviews with residents as well as local, state, and federal officials. It explored how these groups view strategies for reducing coastal flood risks following Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The central debate identified was whether public resources should be used to support remaining on the island or relocating away from high-risk areas.
According to the findings, local officials often favored protecting high-value properties to maintain the municipal tax base. They were described as having more individualistic and hierarchical worldviews and weaker beliefs in climate science. These officials tended to support actions that externalize costs while prioritizing property protection.
On the other hand, some residents along with most state and federal officials held community-oriented and egalitarian perspectives. They showed stronger belief in climate science and supported long-term adaptation measures such as property buyouts to reduce future risk.
The study highlighted concerns about economic impacts on both households and public finances, the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies, and fairness in distributing costs and responsibilities related to flood recovery efforts.
"Responding to the primary concern about economic impacts, we recommend enhancing individual and local financial resilience to climate and political shocks by diversifying municipal revenue streams, encouraging proactive risk-based planning, exploring innovative insurance models, and better accounting for the long-term costs of rebuilding," stated the authors.
The research suggests that addressing severe repetitive flood losses will require not only technical solutions but also attention to underlying cultural differences that shape policy preferences regarding coastal risk management.
