Broken windmill debris washes up on beach; will it make it to Jersey Shore

A windmill off the coast in New England broke down over the weekend and debris appears to be washing ashore.

One of the blades from the Vineyard Wind turbines near Martha’s Vineyard was damaged over the weekend.

On Monday, chunks of foam started washing ashore in areas near Nantucket, according to multiple published reports.

Officials are keeping people out of the water until they debris — described as green and white fiberglass and foam — can be cleaned up.

Will broken windmill debris reach Jersey Shore?

The movement of debris in the ocean is influenced by several factors, primarily ocean currents and wind patterns.

The Gulf Stream flows north in the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast of the United States, potentially carrying debris south along the coast.

Winds and weather conditions also play a role in whether windmill debris could reach New Jersey’s coastline. Storms and strong winds could push trash and debris further along the coastline, increasing the likelihood that it may reach distant shores.

New Jersey could see several offshore wind farms developed in the coming years. The projects have gathered a loud base of detractors, however, concerned for the impact on the environment.