WebCOOS Network Expands In Mid-Atlantic

The WebCOOS network, which leverages low-cost web cameras for coastal observation, has expanded its reach with two new installations in Camden and Hoboken, NJ. These additions enhance flood monitoring capabilities in the Mid-Atlantic, improving public safety and environmental monitoring in coastal communities. The expansion brings the total number of WebCOOS cameras in the MARACOOS region to three, joining an existing camera in Rockaway, NY.

SECOORA, the Integrated Ocean Observing System’s (IOOS) Regional Association (RA) to the south of MARACOOS, launched the WebCOOS network in 2020 as a way to provide quantitative scientific analysis, public safety, and resource management for coastal municipalities and has numerous cameras on the network. Web cameras are a cost-effective way of making coastal observations—the data they collect are vital in addressing critical gaps in the nation’s ability to monitor and forecast weather, ecological, and public health hazards. The WebCOOS project promotes the use of low-cost web cameras for a variety of essential applications, including:

• Flood monitoring
• Identifying rip currents
• Studying beach erosion
• Monitoring beach usage

By integrating real-time visual data with existing oceanographic and atmospheric monitoring systems, WebCOOS cameras provide critical situational awareness during coastal flooding events. These cameras offer a real-time perspective that complements NOAA tide gauges and other flood-tracking tools, allowing communities to prepare and respond more effectively. The addition of the Camden and Hoboken cameras marks a significant step in expanding WebCOOS’s footprint in the Mid-Atlantic. These sites were chosen to enhance flood forecasting and resilience in urban coastal areas that experience storm surges and tidal flooding. Data from these cameras will support researchers, emergency managers, and local decision-makers in developing more accurate flood prediction models and response strategies.

“Our goal is to expand MARACOOS’ coverage to areas where people live and are directly impacted, enhancing coastal monitoring with tools like beach and street flooding cameras,” said Philip Orton, MARACOOS researcher and Research Associate Professor of ocean engineering with Stevens Institute of Technology. “Current street flooding measurements are being made with ultrasonic sensors, which provide data only at specific points. By integrating cameras, we can better understand the spatial extent of flooding. The next challenge is combining these data sources to quantify flood areas— using ultrasonic sensors for depth and cameras for coverage. This will not only help assess past flood events but also improve forecasting models, enabling more accurate flood predictions and warnings ahead of storms.”

As WebCOOS continues to grow, partnerships with NOAA, regional associations like MARACOOS, SECOORA and other IOOS RAs, and local communities will drive further innovation in coastal observation. The integration of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics into web camera data processing will enhance hazard detection capabilities, ensuring that coastal communities have the tools they need to adapt to changing environmental conditions. For more information about WebCOOS and the expanding network, visit webcoos.org.