Murphy administration launches N.J.’s first Flood Safety Week, releases statewide resilience report
NEW JERSEY — The Murphy administration on Tuesday launched New Jersey’s first Flood Safety Week, urging residents and local governments to prepare for flood risks that officials say are increasing due to climate change.
As part of the effort, the state’s Interagency Council on Climate Resilience released its first Statewide Flood Resilience Initiatives report, summarizing programs and projects aimed at strengthening communities against flooding.
“Over the past year, New Jerseyans have experienced the effects of extreme weather on our communities. As we approach the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ida, we are focused on strengthening our resilience to extreme weather events so that we can better mitigate climate threats,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “Flood Safety Week is a critical component of our administration’s commitment to providing New Jerseyans with the tools and resources needed to prepare for flood risks in our state.”
Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said flooding in New Jersey comes in many forms, from swollen rivers to coastal surges and overwhelmed stormwater systems. “As we mark our first Flood Safety Week, I strongly encourage all residents, no matter where they live, to take time to develop flood emergency plans and for our local governments to learn about the many ways to make their communities stronger and safer,” he said.
Col. Patrick J. Callahan, State Police superintendent and director of emergency management, emphasized that preparation is critical. “Flood Safety Week is your reminder: flooding can happen anywhere, even outside a known flood zone,” Callahan said. “The time to prepare is now, because readiness is the key to protecting your family, your home, and your community when the waters rise. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
The DEP and the Office of Emergency Management plan to share safety tips on social media throughout the week. Officials also introduced a new Know Your Flood Risk tool, which integrates FEMA maps with state and Rutgers climate data to help residents understand their risk and access resources such as emergency alerts and Blue Acres buyouts.
The report released Monday outlines 77 activities under the state’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy, from hazard identification and planning to public information and technical assistance. Officials said the goal is to build resilient communities, expand flood preparedness funding, and protect ecosystems while adapting infrastructure to future conditions.
Flood Safety Week comes just ahead of the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Ida and National Preparedness Month in September. Officials stressed that floods in New Jersey are becoming more frequent and more intense, citing recent flash floods and coastal surges that caused damage and deaths across the state.
