This past August, my brother and I experienced extreme high tide (yes, Spongebob reference!) on Long Beach Island, NJ. Hurricane Erin had angered the sea that day, pushing massive amounts of water from the Atlantic Ocean into Barnegat Bay. To make matters worse—or better, depending on your sense of adventure—it was a new moon, which always brings higher-than-normal tides. The result? The bay backed up all the sewers, and soon, floodwaters leaked into the streets.
Watching the Ocean Turn Into a Gladiator Arena
We started out at the beach, standing in awe at the gladiator-like display of the Atlantic Ocean. The waves were huge, powerful, and relentless. At first, the streets behind us were completely dry. But in just 30 minutes, as high tide hit the beach, we knew it was only a matter of time before the bay would swell—its own high tide still three hours away.
By the time we walked back, we were greeted by bike-gobbling floodwaters in the streets.
Cars Trapped in Rising Floodwaters
As we swam our way to higher ground, we noticed cars already beyond the point of no return. Luckily, we had prepared and parked ours around the corner on higher ground…or so we thought. Neighbors started shouting for us to check on them.
I grabbed the keys and dove back into the water. My heart sank when I saw the flooding. The water had risen above the tires, brushing the front bumper. I sprinted to the car, hopped in, and turned the key. Relief washed over me when I heard the engine rev, but a strange static sound hissed from the speakers even though the radio was off.
Behind me, our minivan was parked, blocking any chance of pulling forward through the deepening water. My brother, of course, came strolling around the corner, surfboard in hand, taking his sweet time. I shouted for him to move his butt and get the van out of the way.
In the end, we got both cars to safety—hopefully without lasting damage.
Kayaking the Flooded Streets of LBI
Once the panic was over, the fun began. My brother and I pulled out our kayak for the first time all season, and instead of lugging it around the house, we simply plopped it into the ankle-deep floodwaters in the backyard. From there, we floated it right to the front street and launched.
We kayaked down the entire main boulevard of Long Beach Island, weaving through familiar streets now transformed into a watery playground. Neighbors were out and about, chatting, laughing, and even snapping pictures of us (yes, we even became a meme!).
Flood Adventures, Pizza, and Unexpected Community
At one point, we paddled straight to our favorite pizza joint, Flour Child, a new spot opened by a North Jersey owner earlier that summer. The sight of two guys kayaking up for a pizza must’ve been a first!
We kept going until well past bedtime, cheered on by people on their balconies and decks. I can’t remember the last time I got that much attention—especially from the opposite sex. Forget dating apps and bars—apparently, kayaking the flooded streets is the new way to spark interest!
A Night to Remember on LBI
It reminded me of the good old days when everyone was out playing in the street. It was one of those rare moments that united neighbors, brought out our inner youth, made us forget our daily worries, and reminded us of the raw, unstoppable power of Mother Nature. Nights like these frame our summers, hung like portraits on beach house walls and stitched into the fabric of our island community.
About the Author
Patrick Johns is a New Jersey writer with a background in engineering and mathematics. He spent his summers on LBI glued to his beach chair reading his next favorite book. He worked at Custard Hut, Country Kettle Chowder, Thundering Surf Waterpark, and Long Beach Island Foundation. After working for a large engineering firm for 3 years outside Washington D.C., he discovered his passion for writing and decided to move to Spain. For 4 years he taught English overseas, wrote and published his own fantasy and poetry books, wrote and performed his own music live, and got involved in many freelance projects like copywriting, editing, and book coaching. Currently back in the US, Patrick is passionate about inspiring people with non-writing backgrounds to gain the confidence, routine, and skills to finally start the book they’ve always wanted to write. He’s convinced his writing journey blossomed from those days reading on the beach in Long Beach Island.
When he’s not writing, you can find him…
🏄 Out in the ocean, surfing some narly waves
📚 Reading whatever he can get his hands on
🗺️ Traveling and seeking inspiration for his next book
Follow Patrick’s writing journey on his website:
www.patrickjohnswrites.com