Today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) led a group of federal, state, and local officials and experts in surveying the extensive damage to Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, and Ocean Gate beaches following last week’s severe Nor’easter, which caused significant flooding and beach erosion.

                During the tour, which spanned both Monmouth and Ocean counties, Smith was joined by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 2 Administrator Chris Hartnett; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum; USACE NY District Project Manager Jason Shea; New Jersey State Police Operations Officer Major James Boland; Monmouth County Sherriff Shaun Golden; Ocean County Sherriff Mike Mastronardy; NJ LD-10 Assemblyman Paul Kanitra; Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione; Manasquan Mayor Mike Mangan; Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis; Ocean Gate Mayor Robert Curtin; and numerous elected and municipal officials representing Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, and Ocean Gate.

                “Today, an impressive, comprehensive group of experts—with extensive backgrounds in environmental, structural engineering, and beach replenishment initiatives—came together to not only survey the severe damage wrought by last week’s Nor’easter, but also to collaborate on creative solutions for immediate needs and future resilience efforts,” said Smith.

                “Municipal officials and local leaders came fully prepared, offering tangible examples of the damages they sustained and providing ideas for new initiatives that could bolster their towns’ resilience against future storms,” he continued.

                Smith noted that the federal and state representatives attending the tour were fully engaged and eager to find new ways to assist, boosting the level of teamwork between our federal, state, and local governments.

                Many officials commented that while their towns sustained damage from the Nor’easter, it was largely mitigated in some areas due to preexisting protections implemented after previous storms.

                “I am truly encouraged by the intergovernmental partnership and determination demonstrated today. Building upon what we’ve learned from previous storms and tapping into the continued knowledge and expertise shared today, I look forward to working alongside our great state and local officials to strengthen our shore communities’ resilience and preparation for future severe weather events,” concluded Smith.

From left to right: NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode, Bay Head Councilman Jim Gates, Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis, Bay Head Council President Dennis Shaning, Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, Rep. Chris Smith, USACE Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Ryan A. Baum, and FEMA Region 2 Administrator Chris Hartnett.

Rep. Smith with USACE NY District Project Manager Jason Shea.

Rep. Smith, NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Seebode, USACE NY District Project Manager Shea, Monmouth County Sherriff Shaun Golden, Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan, Manasquan Councilman Brian Holly, and other federal, state, and local officials after surveying the beach erosion in Manasquan, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.

Rep. Smith, Assemblyman Kanitra, NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Seebode, Lt. Col. Baum, and Administrator Hartnett with local officials in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) stands with Ocean Gate officials. From left to right: Councilman Mark Haug, Councilman Rick Zeiser, Rep. Chris Smith, and Mayor Robert Curtin.

Nor’easter damage in Ocean Gate, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.

Nor’easter-induced beach erosion in Bay Head, NJ on October 2nd, 2026.

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