$625 Million in Damages Prevented
Research from The Nature Conservancy says coastal wetlands prevented more than $625 million in property damages during Hurricane Sandy and reduced property damages throughout the Northeast by 10 percent on average.
In New Jersey alone, wetlands saved more than $425 million in property damages. In Maryland, wetlands reduced damages by 29 percent.
Greatest Risk
Properties built on previously existing wetlands, and properties at low elevations, face the greatest risk from flooding. These at-risk properties often derive the greatest protective benefits from coastal wetland conservation efforts.
Upstream Benefits from Downstream Wetlands
With Hurricane Sandy, some places with few wetlands within their boundaries nevertheless benefited from the cumulative surge reduction provided by downstream wetlands.