Flooding

The National Weather Service has posted a Coastal Flood Warning for the Borough of Stone Harbor for Thursday, September 29th at 6:00pm until Friday, September 30th at 1:00am.  Moderate coastal flooding is expected at time of high tide which will occur in Townsend’s Inlet at 8:28pm.  A persistent northeasterly flow has kept water from the Thursday morning high tide in the back bays.  This evening’s high tide is expected to produce an additional half foot to foot of tidal inundation flooding.  Please be advised that some local streets that typically receive water during coastal flooding events may have water this evening.  Do not attempt to drive on any flooded street or through any flooded intersection as this puts you and your vehicle at risk while also creating an unnecessary wake that can damage property and other vehicles.

The low pressure system that is causing the northeasterly winds and rain, heavy at times, is expected to linger near the East Coast for at least 24 hours.  There may be strong gusty winds, periods of heavy rainfall, or a thunderstorm at any time.  It is possible additional flood advisories may come from the National Weather Service.  High tide at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge will occur on Friday at 8:53am and 9:06pm, and on Saturday at 9:29am and 9:42pm.

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

Coastal Flood Warning, Coastal Flood Advisory, Coastal Hazard Statement
Issued: 10:27 AM EDT Sep. 29, 2016 – National Weather Service
  ... Coastal Flood Advisory now in effect until 3 PM EDT this  afternoon...   ... High rip current risk now in effect through late tonight...   ... Coastal Flood Warning in effect from 6 PM this evening to 1 am  EDT Friday...     The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a coastal  Flood Warning... which is in effect from 6 PM this evening to 1 am  EDT Friday.    * Location... the central and southern New Jersey shore and    Delaware beaches.    * Coastal flooding... minor coastal flooding was occuring this    morning along the central and southern New Jersey coasts and the    Delaware coast. Tidal inundation flooding will occur again    tonight and probably be half a foot to a foot deeper than what    occurred this morning. This has prompted the upgrade of this    evenings advisory to a warning for moderate coastal flooding    with this evenings high tide cycle. Easterly winds will whip    waves of 5 to 9 feet onto the shore as well.    * Risk of rip currents... there is a high risk of dangerous rip    currents through tonight.    * Timing... the oceanfront coastal flooding is expected with the     high tides which between 7 and 9 am and 7 and 9 PM. High tide     on the Bay Side may occur up to 3 hours later. The high risk     of rip currents will continue through this evening.    * Impacts... roadway flooding is expected near both high tides.    * Surge... tides will be around 2 to 2.5 feet above astronomical    tides. Heavy rain at the time of high tides could exacerbate    coastal flooding... leading to total water levels even higher.    * Waves... 5 to 9 feet.    * Outlook... at least minor tidal inundation flooding is    anticipated with the Friday morning high tide cycle... and    possibly again Friday evening.    Precautionary/preparedness actions...     There is a high risk of rip currents. A high risk of rip currents  implies that wind and/or wave conditions will support the  development of very strong rip currents. These rip currents will  be life threatening to anyone who enters the surf.    Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away  from shore... which occur most often at low spots or breaks in The  Sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins...   jetties and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards... beach patrol  flags and signs.    If you become caught in a rip current... Yell for help. Remain  calm... do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for  help. If you have to swim out of a rip current... swim parallel to  shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to  swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.    A coastal Flood Advisory means that minor tidal flooding is  expected. Minor tidal flooding often results in some Road  closures. Usually... the most vulnerable roadways will flood.    Do not leave your vehicle at a location that is prone to tidal  flooding. 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.