City of Ocean City, NJ- Office of Emergency Management
Special Weather Statement:
4:15 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016
The National Weather Service on Monday afternoon issued a Coastal Flood Warning for our area in effect through noon Tuesday.
Widespread moderate tidal flooding could occur through two more high tide cycles. High tides will occur at approximately 8:10 p.m. Monday and 8:33 a.m. Tuesday.
Vehicles should be moved from areas that typically experience tidal flooding well in advance of these high tides. Do not attempt to drive your vehicle through flood waters. Many bayside thoroughfares could be flooded, including the blocks near the causeway entrances. Visit weather.gov/phi for the latest weather updates.
As of Monday afternoon, the Ocean City School District had made no decision to cancel or postpone school on Tuesday. District officials ask students and parents to listen for a call this evening and to check school websites and social media for any potential change.
A low-pressure system off the coast coincides Monday with a new moon, and flooding is likely prior to the time of high tide and may last for several hours after high tide.
The tidal gauge at the Bayside Center in Ocean City registered 7.42 feet during high tide on Monday morning – a level comparable to the lowest of the three high tides Ocean City experienced during a coastal storm on Jan. 23 and 24, 2016. Strong northeast winds are pushing ocean water into the back bays and contributing to the flooding. Forecasters suggest the Tuesday morning tide could be a few inches higher than Monday morning’s.
The National Weather Service also has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect for Ocean City through 6 a.m. Wednesday. The forecast suggests Ocean City could see 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulation by Tuesday night.
Travel conditions will be hazardous. Please be advised that West Avenue is a “Snow Removal Zone” and parking is prohibited on both sides of the street when the road is covered by snow.
Please write down the following emergency contact numbers for local utility companies should you experience outages or other problems during the upcoming storm:
- Atlantic City Electric: 800-833-7476
- South Jersey Gas: 888-766-9900
- Comcast Cable: 800-COMCAST (800-266-2278)
The utility companies recommend you contact them directly as soon as you experience a problem so that they can properly track outages and repairs.
For Police & Fire Department emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111 or 609-399-6111.
FAQs Coastal Storm February 2016 Updated Monday, Feb. 8, 4 p.m.
What is the status of the storm?
As of Monday morning, a large low-pressure system was off the coast and a second winter storm was moving into the area. The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning through noon Tuesday and a Winter Storm Warning through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
What time are the high tides?
Widespread moderate tidal flooding could occur through two high tide cycles. High tides will occur at approximately 8:10 p.m. Monday and 8:33 a.m. Tuesday at the Ninth Street Bridge.
How bad will the flooding be?
Tidal surges are difficult to predict because so many factors contribute to flooding. But the Monday evening tide is not predicted to be as high as that of Tuesday morning. The Monday morning tide (Feb. 8) reached 7.42 feet. By comparison, Superstorm Sandy reached 10.02 feet in Ocean City and the recent flooding in October 2015 reached 7.3 feet.
What if I need help?
The city team remains on call to assists anybody in need. For Police and Fire Department emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111 or 609-399-6111. Public safety officials remind residents that, in most cases, the safest place to be is at home.
Where can I park my car?
The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are typically at higher elevation. And a trip to the mainland, of course, is always the safest bet. The ShopRite shopping center in Marmora has asked residents not to park there and leave cars overnight.
Can I still sign up for emergency alerts?
Yes. Click on the “Alert Me” link on ocnj.us to sign up for email alerts and our Code Red emergency telephone updates.
How can I check on my property if I’m out of town?
Please encourage neighbors or friends to stop by to check on your property.
Where can I get information during a power outage?
Please check the City’s website www.ocnj.us from battery operated devices. Longport Media radio station WOND will broadcast storm and emergency information on radio stations 1400 AM with simulcasts during a storm on 102.7 FM.
Do I have to evacuate?
No evacuation plan is in place at this time. However, we ask residents and second homeowners to use their best judgment. Residents in usual flooding areas or who are uncomfortable with potential power outages should make arrangements with family or friends.
Can I drive during the storm?
Travel conditions will be extremely hazardous and residents are encouraged to stay off the roads. As of Saturday morning, all causeways to the island were closed due to flooding. They may reopen if the tide recedes, but do not attempt to drive through any flood waters. Please be advised that West Avenue is a “Snow Removal Zone” and parking is prohibited on both sides of the street when the road is covered by snow. Expect flooding to continue to limit access to many streets in Ocean City.
Are any events canceled or other closings?
None has been announced yet.
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As we all are aware, disasters for the most part take place at the local level. It is the intent of OCOEM to assist local government in being prepared for, responding to and recovering from disasters. At the OCOEM web page we are highlighting our intent by emphasizing the planning, training and exercise design functions available. We encourage you to tour our site as well as the hot links connected to our web site.
We are attempting to make emergency management at the municipal level more community based, to assist our local community identify potential risks, to enhance the response of assisting agencies and be a point of warning and coordination for all agencies within the city.
We welcome your thoughts and feedback. We will be attempting on a regular basis to keep this page updated with current and pertinent information. The field of Emergency Management is very unique.
We are asking for your assistance in maximizing Ocean City’s ability to prepare for and in some cases prevent potential disasters. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Frank Donato
Ocean City Emergency Management Coordinator
Please call 609-399-9111 to report a downed wire. Do NOT touch or go near them.
Power Outages: Atlantic City Electric 1-800-833-7476 or ONLINE
(provides an interactive outage map)
Click HERE for Steps to Staying Safe when returning to a Flooded Home
Learn About EAS (Emergency Alert System)
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| Ocean City Citizen Corps Enrollment | FloodSmart Program | Sign up for Emergency Notification System |
