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 1st through Saturday evening, March 3rd. 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 1st: 7:45pm
Friday, March 2nd: 8:05am, 8:33pm
Saturday, March 3rd: 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 1st at 5:00pm until sometime on Sunday, March 4th 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.
