Dear Friends,

Last night, Ocean City saw the highest tides we have experienced in the past seven years. The water level was about three feet higher than a typical high tide. We haven’t seen that since October 2018, when a nor’easter packed 55 mph winds and the surge was even higher. 

Our neighborhood pumping station projects cannot prevent coastal flooding at those levels. Tidal waters simply flow back onto land as quickly as the stations pump them out. But after a brief power outage in Merion Park was fixed, all pumps citywide were fully operational and the streets drained quickly once the tide receded. 

I want to thank everyone for working together to prepare for this special weather event, and I’m glad that nobody was hurt. Hurricane Erin is now moving away from us. But a Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect, and more street flooding is predicted for the hours around high tide at 8:34 p.m. Please keep an eye on conditions and be prepared to move vehicles to safe places. More information is available here: ocnj.us/oem.  

The weather forecast for the weekend looks great, but the ocean is expected to remain rough with big surf continuing. Please remember to swim only at guarded beaches and to follow all guidance from the Ocean City Beach Patrol. An updated list of guarded beaches is always available at ocnj.us/ocbp. 

Yesterday’s storm caused beach erosion, and our Public Works team is working between tides to restore safe beach access. I walked the beaches today, and I’m thankful that our dune system does such a great job in protecting our homes and streets. It was great to see so many people enjoying the beach.

We are in line for beach replenishment early in 2026, and I am meeting with U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew on Tuesday, along with other mayors, to make sure funding is put in place for these vital beachfill projects. I am also talking to state officials and the governor about the importance of sustaining the long-standing partnership that protects our shoreline.

City Council last night voted against a resolution that would have asked the Planning Board to make a recommendation on declaring the property at 600 Boardwalk an “Area in Need of Rehabilitation.” Council suggested initiating a Master Plan re-examination to review the entire Boardwalk Zone.

Our last Master Plan re-exam was adopted in January 2019, and new re-exams are required every 10 years. Our administration will work with the Planning Board to launch a new re-exam. This is an extensive process that includes public input at all stages. The Master Plan addresses all aspects of land use and zoning in all parts of Ocean City. The re-exam process makes recommendations for changes that help advance goals laid out in the Master Plan process. Copies of all our planning reports and documents are available here: ocnj.us/PlanningandZoningFormsandDocuments. 

Family, friends and the Shiloh Baptist Church congregation celebrated the life of Juanita Moore last weekend. Mother Moore lived to the age of 104 and was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist for 67 years, serving on the Usher Board, as president of the Missionary Board, as deaconess and as Church Mother for more than 20 years. Please join Michele and me in paying tribute to this local legend and extending deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her.

I’m looking forward to Tuesday’s Ocean City Pops concert featuring Las Vegas legend Wayne Newton. Tickets are still available, if you want to check it out. I hope you all have a great and safe weekend with family and friends.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor