The National Weather Service has issued both a Coastal Flood Warning and a High Wind Warning for the Borough. The Flood Warning is in effect from Friday, March 2^nd at 5:00am through Sunday, March 4^th, at 2:00am. The Wind Warning is in effect from Friday, March 2^nd at 11:00am through Saturday, March 3^rd at 6:00am.

A developing Coastal Storm will bring rain, strong winds, and minor to moderate coastal flooding to our region. The storm will begin as rain Thursday morning, continue with rain and strong winds on Friday, and with dry but windy conditions with coastal flooding continuing on Saturday. The high tide of the most concern appears to be the high tide event on Saturday morning. Minor to possibly moderate coastal flooding is expected at time of high tide Friday morning, Friday evening, and Saturday evening; moderate coastal flooding is likely at time of high tide on Saturday morning.

High tide will occur at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge on Friday at 8:05am, and again at 8:33pm. High tide will occur on Saturday at 8:51am, and again at 9:19pm. Sunday morning’s high tide will occur at 9:36am.

Please exercise caution while driving at time of high tide. Never drive on a flooded street as this puts you at risk and creates an unnecessary wake that can damage property. Secure any outdoor objects, including construction sites, where lighter objects and debris are located. If you have any emergency, dial 911. If you have a power outage, contact Atlantic City Electric at 1-800-833-7476. Be aware that the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will be closed for the duration of this storm event and may reopen sometime on Sunday, March 4^th.

The Borough continues to be in contact with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service for updated information. Please continue to follow local media forecasts and this website for updated information as it becomes available.

Here is the text of the Coastal Flood Warning and the High Wind Warning provided by the National Weather Service:

Coastal Flood Warning

Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 407 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018 May- 407 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018

 

…COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM FRIDAY TO 2 AM EST SUNDAY… The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Coastal Flood Warning, which is in effect from 5 AM Friday to 2 AM EST Sunday. The Coastal Flood Watch is no longer in effect. *

 

LOCATIONS…Coastal areas of Cape May County and Cumberland   County. * COASTAL FLOODING…Minor flooding is anticipated with the high   tides on Friday morning and Friday evening. Moderate flooding,   along with spotty major flooding, is expected with the high   tide on Saturday morning. Moderate flooding is forecast with the   high tide on Saturday evening.

 

* TIMING…High tide on the oceanfront occurs between 7:15 AM   and 8:15 AM on Friday morning, between 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM on   Friday evening, between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Saturday   morning, and between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM on Saturday evening.   High tide on the back bays and on Delaware Bay occurs later   than the high tide on the oceanfront.

 

* SURGE…Around 1 to 1.5 feet on Friday, building to 2.5 to 3   feet on Saturday.

 

* WAVES…Around 4 to 7 feet on Friday, building to 9 to 12 feet   on Saturday.

 

* IMPACTS…Numerous roadways are expected to flood and minor to   moderate property damage is possible. The tides and wave   action will likely result in moderate beach erosion.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Coastal Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring or imminent. Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert for rising water…and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged…leading to costly repairs. Visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at water.weather.gov/ahps for additional water level and flood impact information for your local tide gauge.

 

High Wind Warning

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 330 PM EST Thu Mar 1 2018 Thu Mar 1 2018

 

…HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 6 AM EST SATURDAY… * LOCATION…Northeastern Maryland, northern Delaware,   southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. * WINDS…Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

 

* TIMING…Strong winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph develop toward   midday Friday. Peak gusts to 60 mph are most likely to occur   from mid afternoon to late evening Friday. Winds will gradually   diminish Saturday morning.

 

• ..Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.   Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,   especially for high profile vehicles.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

The National Weather Service has continued the Coastal Flood Watch and now has posted a High Wind Warning for our Borough in advance of the approaching coastal storm.  The Coastal Flood Watch is in effect from Thursday evening, March 1^st through Saturday evening, March 3^rd.  The High Wind Warning is in effect from Friday at 11:00am through Saturday at 6:00am.  The Flood Watch includes the potential for minor, moderate, and in some locations major coastal flooding; the Wind Warning includes the potential for wind gusts approaching 60mph at times along the coastline.

A coastal storm is expected to spread rainfall over our region Thursday afternoon and lasting through Saturday morning.  The storm is also expected to include the potential for street flooding in flood prone areas at times of high tide courtesy of the storm, and the lunar cycle.  This flooding could make travel difficult on streets that are prone to flooding.  The high winds may have potential to damage trees and cause power outages.  The National Weather Service is expected to provide frequent updates to this forecast, so please continue to follow this site and traditional media outlets.  The high tide of most concern occurs on Saturday morning.

High tide at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will occur at the following times, on the following days:

Thursday, March 1^st: 7:45pm

Friday, March 2^nd: 8:05am, 8:33pm

Saturday, March 3^rd: 8:51am, 9:19pm

Never attempt to drive on any flooded street or through any flooded intersection as this puts you and your vehicle at risk, and causes an unnecessary wake that can damage public and private property.  If you have a power outage, please contact Atlantic City Electric directly at 1-800-833-7476.  The County of Cape May will close the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge Thursday, March 1^st at 5:00pm until sometime on Sunday, March 4^th as the roadway leading to the bridge will likely experience flooding and wave action from the storm.  Never attempt to drive over any downed utility wire.  If you have any emergency, dial 911.

The Borough remains in contact with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service to get the very latest information.  The information below on the Coastal Flood Watch and the High Wind Warning is courtesy of the National Weather Service:

…COASTAL FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH

LATE SATURDAY NIGHT…

 

* LOCATIONS…Coastal areas of Cape May County and Cumberland

County.

 

* COASTAL FLOODING…Minor flooding is anticipated with the high

tides on Friday morning and Friday evening, moderate to locally

major flooding is expected with the high tide on Saturday

morning, and moderate flooding is forecast with the high tide on

Saturday evening.

 

* TIMING…High tide on the oceanfront occurs between 7:15 AM and

8:15 AM on Friday morning, between 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM on Friday

evening, between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Saturday morning, and

between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM on Saturday evening. High tide on

the back bays and on Delaware Bay occurs later than the high

tide on the oceanfront.

 

* SURGE…Around 1 to 1.5 feet on Friday, building to 2.5 to 3

feet on Saturday.

 

* WAVES…Around 4 to 7 feet on Friday, building to 9 to 12 feet

on Saturday.

 

* IMPACTS…Numerous roadways are expected to flood and minor to

moderate property damage is possible. The tides and wave action

will likely result in moderate beach erosion.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

 

A Coastal Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for the

development of moderate or major 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.

 

 

…HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 6 AM EST

SATURDAY…

 

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a High

Wind Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 6 AM EST

Saturday. The High Wind Watch is no longer in effect.

 

* LOCATION…Northeastern Maryland, northern Delaware,

southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

 

* WINDS…Northwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

 

* TIMING…Strong winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph develop toward

midday Friday. Peak gusts to 60 mph are most likely to occur

from mid afternoon to late evening Friday. Winds will gradually

diminish late Friday night.

 

* IMPACTS…Saturated soils will enhance the potential for high

winds to blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power

outages are likely. Travel will be difficult, especially for

high profile vehicles.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

 

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected

or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts

of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

The following information came from the County of Cape May in advance of the coastal storm expected to impact our region on March 1st-4th:

In preparation of the coastal storm striking the east coast tomorrow and extending into the weekend, the Townsends Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will be closing at 5:00pm on Thursday March 1st until sometime Sunday March 4th when weather conditions become more favorable for traffic to cross the bridge.

According to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service, Cape May County will be experiencing major coastal flooding and high winds through the weekend.  With the high tides expected and an easterly wind, waves will be washing over the seawall on the Avalon approach to the Townsends Inlet Bridge.  Due to the narrow open lane in the construction zone, the expected high winds will make it difficult for vehicles to cross the bridge.

Due to the forecast of heavy rains, winds and tidal flooding, Fare Free Transportation will not be providing service to any of the barrier islands on Friday March 2, 2018.  Services to the mainland communities will remain on schedule.

Regular dialysis trips will be provided as well as Meals on Wheels for the barrier islands, all other services to the barrier islands only, are suspended for Friday March 2.  All countywide Fare Free Transportation services for today, Thursday March 1, are running and on schedule.

The Senior Centers in North Wildwood and Ocean City will be closed due to the potential of severe weather and flooding, the Senior Centers in Lower Township and Upper Township will remain open.

All other Cape May County Government Services and Offices will be open and operating during regular business hours.

Please check the Cape May County Park and Zoo website for any changes in hours of operation, heavy winds could present a danger to the animals and or the potential threat to visitors from falling tree branches.   www.cmczoo.com