'Normal Preparations' For Flooding in Brick; Tidal Effect of Andrea Forecast as 'Minor'

Brick Township is preparing for the oncoming heavy rains as it normally does, officials said Friday.

Morning and early afternoon rain associated with a weather system moving in from the west will give way to rain and wind associated with Tropical Storm Andrea later this afternoon, forecasters say.

Though the Shore could receive as much as 5 inches of rain, the tropical storm's effects on tides – the primary driver of flooding in Brick – will be relatively minimal.

"We're doing our normal preparations in areas that flood," said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis, such as preparing barrels to block off certain areas. But "nothing out of the ordinary" is expected with Andrea.

"Obviously with the weakened state of the dunes, we're glad we got some sand there," he said, referring to displaced sand from Barnegat Bay that was moved to the oceanfront this week.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the time of the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Andrea retained its tropical storm status, packing 45 m.p.h. winds and quickly moving to the northeast at 28 m.p.h.

The bulk of Andrea's moisture was forecast to move into the Shore area around 3 p.m., according to a forecast from the National Weather Service.

Flood and flash flood watches remain in effect statewide, as well as a small craft advisory and a gale warning offshore.