Nor’easter ‘Beach Eater’ Chews Through Atlantic City Shoreline, Northern Boardwalk Hardest Hit

The weekend nor’easter that battered shorelines from the Carolinas to New England hit Atlantic City hard, pounding the Boardwalk where six of the city’s nine casinos stand.

The rare September nor’easter caused flooding and dangerous winds up and down the East Coast. On Saturday (Sept. 26), Atlantic City experienced its highest water levels since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Atlantic City officials said the high tide caused the most beach erosion since Sandy, the deadliest hurricane in New Jersey history.

The damage might not be done, as Russo said during the colder months more erosion could occur.

Atlantic City Beach

With three full-scale casinos featuring slot machines and table games on the way in New York City, Atlantic City is already playing defense. North Jersey and downstate New York have long been critical feeder markets for Atlantic City’s casinos, and with three properties set to open much closer to home for those residents, Atlantic City is preparing for the forthcoming competition.

Atlantic City’s greatest asset to keep people coming from North Jersey and New York City in the summer months is its beach. But in recent decades, the beach has eroded due to a combination of factors, including rising sea levels and more frequent coastal storms.

The northern end of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is most prone to erosion, as the beach there is a natural bottleneck where ocean currents aggressively strip away sand.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) declared states of emergency for storm-battered counties, including Atlantic County. The governor said the Department of Environmental Protection assessed beaches before the storm so the state can “properly track any damage.” She added that she’s “aware” of significant beach erosion.

Russo said the hardest-hit section was the half-mile stretch running from Hard Rock north past Ocean Casino Resort. That area is where $40 million has already been invested in a two-year sand restoration project that was completed in early 2025 by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Boardwalk Intact

The powerful nor’easter eroded the Atlantic City shoreline, but Russo said the Boardwalk was not damaged. Russo said there also remains plenty of ample beach space for visitors, especially now that it’s the end of the summer and temperatures are cooling.

Atlantic City has entered what’s traditionally considered its non-prime shoulder season. Through August, the nine casinos won $2 billion from gamblers playing their in-person slot machines and table games. That’s 1.8% above last year.