A Borough Rebuilt On Stilts

10 years ago Highlands NJ was decimated by Hurricane Sandy. Now much of it is on stilts.

When Hurricane Sandy hit Highlands New Jersey it pushed so much water out of Sandy Hook Bay and into the town that 1,250 of 1,500 homes were destroyed as was much of the downtown business section. So the rebuilt homes are now lifted so that any future flood waters will flow under - not into them.

The front door of this house - like many - is not at street level.

Ground level of many of the houses in Highlands are now constructed of concrete to push any future flood waters away.

Those who want to utilize the ground levels of the new and reconstructed homes only use them as garages.

A $120 million floodwall that extends 10,700 feet now protects Highlands. But its construction divided the community between those who believe it’s necessary to protect the borough and those who argue it’s ugly and blocks their view of the water.

All photos copyright Gary Baumgarten

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