The river is an important waterway, which frequently floods due to extreme weather caused by climate change, and is expected to increase doing so because of sea level rise.

[6] The Woodbridge River flood zone has become a part of the restoration plan for the riparian environment.

[7] After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program,[8] Woodbridge bought out and demolished many residential properties in the flood hazard areas.

[9] Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change."

As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will be replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass.

"[10] In Woodbridge not everybody wants to sell; 2050, when the properties have a high probability of severe damage from rising sea levels,[11] seems too far in the future for some.