The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch and a High Wind Watch in advance of a coastal storm that will bring our region rain, mixing with snow, strong winds, and the potential for moderate coastal flooding especially during the Tuesday morning high tide event. This storm will also bring significant snow to portions of northern New Jersey and areas north of Philadelphia.

A coastal storm is expected to visit our region starting Monday night and potentially lasting through a portion of Wednesday. The biggest impacts of the storm are expected on Tuesday. The storm may make driving difficult at times, especially in coastal communities where some flooding is expected. Never attempt to drive your vehicle through any flooded street or any flooded intersection. Driving on a flooded street puts you and your vehicle at risk, and creates an unnecessary wake that can damage property. Strong winds with gusts potentially exceeding 50mph are expected along the Jersey Shore; power outages are possible. If you experience a power outage, contact Atlantic City Electric directly at 1-800-833-7476. Never attempt to move any downed power or cable line yourself. If you have any emergency, dial 911.

High tide at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will occur Monday at 9:49pm; Tuesday at 10:03am and again at 10:27pm; and Wednesday at 10:41am and 11:05pm. During this storm event, local police may close the bridge due to unsafe conditions from wave over wash.

Continue to monitor traditional media outlets for updates on this storm. We remain in contact with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management for updates on this storm and how it will impact our region.

Here are the texts of the Coastal Flood Watch and the High Wind Watch issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon:

Coastal Flood Watch
Issued: 2:58 PM EDT Mar. 12, 2017 – National Weather Service

… Coastal Flood Watch in effect from Tuesday morning through
Tuesday afternoon…

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a coastal
Flood Watch, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through
Tuesday afternoon.

* Location… coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware, including
Delaware Bay.

* Coastal flooding… moderate flooding is expected with Tuesday
morning’s high tide.

* Timing… flooding is anticipated to occur for several hours
around the time of high tide. High tide on the New Jersey and
Delaware oceanfront occurs between 9:15 and 10:15 am Tuesday.
High tide on the back bays, along Delaware Bay and along Raritan
Bay occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront.

* Surge… around 2 to 3 feet above the astronomical tide.

* Waves… wave heights on the ocean waters off the coast are
forecast to range from 12 to 18 feet with breaking waves of 6 to
9 feet at the shore. Wave heights on Delaware Bay are expected
to be 3 to 8 feet.

* Impacts… numerous roadways are expected to flood with many
roads becoming impassable. Minor to moderate property damage is
possible. Wave action is forecast to result in significant beach
erosion.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

This coastal Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for
the development of moderate coastal flooding.

Be prepared to begin taking appropriate action to protect life
and property. Follow the recommendations of local emergency
management officials. Be sure to check the latest forecast from
time to time in case a warning is issued or any new information
becomes available.

For a list of the impact of different tide heights in your County
please visit www.Weather.Gov/phi/tides
Forecast time of predicted
location high Tide Water level

Sandy Hook 9:51 am Tue 7.5 to 8.0 feet MLLW
New Jersey
(sandy hook bay)

Seaside Heights 9:21 am Tue near 7.0 feet MLLW
New Jersey
(oceanfront)

Atlantic City 9:30 am Tue near 7.0 feet MLLW
New Jersey
(oceanfront)

Cape May 10:04 am Tue 7.5 to 8.0 feet MLLW
New Jersey
(oceanfront)

Lewes 10:44 am Tue near 7.0 feet MLLW
Delaware
(delaware bay)

Rehoboth Beach 9:49 am Tue near 7.0 feet MLLW
Delaware
(oceanfront)

high tide on the back bays, along Delaware Bay and along Raritan
Bay occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront.
High Wind Watch
Issued: 3:25 PM EDT Mar. 12, 2017 – National Weather Service

… High wind watch in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday
afternoon…

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a high
wind watch, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through
Tuesday afternoon.

* Locations… coastal New Jersey.

* Winds… northeast 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to near 60 mph.

* Timing… winds will increase early Tuesday morning and peak
between mid morning and early afternoon, before diminishing
late Tuesday afternoon.

* Impacts… strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power
lines. Scattered power outages are expected.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous
high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph… or gusts of
58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest
forecasts.

The National Weather Service has put our region under the risk of a coastal storm that will likely impact our region late Monday, March 13th through Wednesday morning, March 15th. This storm is expected to bring some rain, snow, gusty winds and the potential for coastal flooding to our Borough for a 36 hour period.

The Service believes this will be a heavy snow event for northern New Jersey and north of Philadelphia where more than a foot of snow is possible. For southern coastal New Jersey, rain is expected to mix with snow to keep any snowfall totals down. However, the storm could change in track and intensity over the next 24 hours; it is advisable to check the forecast routinely before the storm arrives.

As of Sunday morning, March 12th, no watches or warnings are posted for our region by the National Weather Service. However, a Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued:

Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
401 AM EDT Sun Mar 12 2017

DEZ002>004-NJZ023>025-130815-
Kent-Inland Sussex-Delaware Beaches-Cape May-
Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-
401 AM EDT Sun Mar 12 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Delaware, southern
Delaware and southern New Jersey.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Monday through Saturday.

Accumulating snow is possible Monday night into Tuesday night. There
is still considerable uncertainty with details, including exact snow
amounts, but there could be impacts to travel, especially during the
day Tuesday.

Strong winds, gusting 40 to 50 mph are possible, especially close to
the shore on Tuesday.

Minor coastal flooding is likely with the high tide cycle during the
day on Tuesday.

For reference purposes, high tide at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will occur Monday at 9:49pm; Tuesday at 10:03am and again at 10:27pm; and Wednesday at 10:41am and 11:05pm. During this storm event, local police may close the bridge due to unsafe conditions from wave over wash.

Strong winds of 50mph are expected with this storm. Now is a good time to secure any outdoor objects prone to winds including trash cans and patio furniture. Never attempt to drive on any flooded street or through any flooded intersection. Contractors are asked to secure their job sites for loose objects and debris before the storm arrives. Shall you have any emergency, dial 911. If you lose power, contact Atlantic City Electric at 1-800-833-7476. Continue to monitor local forecasts in advance of, and during, this anticipated storm event. Our community will receive frequent updates from the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management.