South Jersey Shore towns could flood because of mid-week storm

Jersey Shore towns Atlantic City and south could get walloped with flood waters during this week’s storm, says Tom Thunstrom of Phillyweather.net.

He says that while forecasts are not as dire as they were two days ago and that flooding won’t reach Sandy levels, “it’s probably going to be in the top 10 in terms of tidal floods.”

Right now, the South Jersey Shore is looking at seven to eight foot storm surges, a combination of both high tide and a storm surge. Winds will be pushing that water in at 60 miles per hour gusts with 45 mile per hour sustained winds.

The worst flooding will be on the coast, says Thunstrom. Shore communities should expect to see higher tides starting with Wednesday morning’s high tide at 3:41 a.m. and that places that flood “at the drop of a hat,” he says, will start to see water. The flooding will grow worse with continuing high tides, with the worst two coming on Wednesday night at 10:01 p.m. and Thursday morning at 4:50 a.m. (all tide times taken for Sea Isle City). Back bay communities could see flooding on Thursday afternoon as the winds turn, and the shore should experience higher than normal winds into Friday. 

This isn’t just a South Jersey shore problem, but because of the track of the storm, our communities south of Atlantic City all the way to Bethany, Del. will be the real targets. 

If you live in one of these communities, especially beach front, stay tuned to all emergency warnings, and be prepared to leave if you much. I’d rather that you prepare for the worst and face nothing than be caught by this early March storm.

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Jen A. Miller writes the Down the Shore with Jen blog for NewsWorks.org. Jen is author of The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May, which is now in its second edition.