Politics & Government

UPDATE: Minor Flooding Possible As Shore Towns Remain On Storm Alert

UPDATE: Monmouth, Ocean and the southern Shore areas could sustain minor coastal flooding, and a coastal flood advisory remains in effect for the entire Jersey shore until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Heavy rain has not been much of a problem. However, onshore winds may keep back bays from draining and high surf can cause beach erosion, according to the Associated Press.

As a tropical storm forecast to bring up to four inches of rain and some flooding to the Shore Area, beach towns still reeling from Superstorm Sandy are on alert.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The storm – which contains some remnants of Tropical Storm Karen – is expected to bring the worst flooding to Southern New Jersey, where the coastal flooding around high tide is expected to reach moderate levels, according to the service.

The flood threat lessens in Ocean and Monmouth counties, according to the service, where minor coastal flooding is expected, but moderate is possible.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The weather service had issued a coastal flood advisory for Monmouth and Ocean counties from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Gale force wind conditions – gusting at 40 to 45 mph. at the coast, 20 to 35 mph inland -- are likely along portions of the Atlantic Coast. Prolonged northeast winds will cause seas to build up to 12 feet offshore, with waves in the surf zone building to 6 to 8 feet, the service says.

In Belmar, mayor Matt Doherty said a new drain valve recently installed at Silver Lake – an areas of frequent flooding -- has worked well to lower the water level at the last low tide.

And the borough has water pumps on standby should they be needed.

In Manasquan, officials said the Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the storm and will make other preparations in the event it takes a turn for the worse.

“We’re confident we can get through this without any major flooding,’’ Doherty said. “But if this gets significantly worse than it’s forecast, we’ll be ready for that too.’’

A gale warning is in effect for coastal waters off Ocean County and a small craft advisory covers coastal waters off Monmouth County, the service says.

The Miss Belmar Princess, a charter fishing and party boat, will remain moored in the Belmar Harbor until after the storm, officials there said.

“We will resume our normal schedule when the weather clears,” a post on the Miss Belmar Facebook page says.


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