City of Ocean City, NJ – Office of Emergency Management
Special Weather Statement:
3:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2018
Coastal Flood and High Wind Warnings remain in effect for Ocean City on Friday (March 2). The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts sustained northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph on Friday afternoon and evening. The warning extends to 6 a.m. Saturday. Loose objects on your property should be brought inside or secured. Make sure to fully charge mobile telephones and electronic devices, as power outages are possible. The winds will make driving hazardous. Please limit travel in these conditions.
A coastal storm will affect Ocean City through several high tide cycles. The track and potential impact of the storm are still uncertain, but the NWS right now predicts a tide of 7.2 feet on the mean low water (MLW) scale for Saturday morning and Saturday evening. By comparison, the winter storm “Jonas” reached 7.66 feet in January 2016. See sampling of Ocean City historic tides for context: www.ocnj.us/octides.
Water levels are expected to peak in the hours around high tide on the bay side of Ocean City at about 9:03 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Flooding also could occur during high tides at 8:44 p.m. Friday and 9:48 a.m. Sunday (6.8 feet MLW prediction).
Street flooding could occur prior to high tide and may last for several hours. Residents should monitor conditions and be prepared to move vehicles from areas that typically experience flooding. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are at higher elevation. These roads also offer the safest routes of travel across the length of the island. Parking will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora (please read letter from Trinity if you take advantage of this service).
The forecast calls for winds to shift direction and blow from the north on Saturday and Sunday. The exact wind direction will help determine the severity of any potential flooding.
For your safety and the protection of your vehicle and neighboring properties, never attempt to drive through flood waters, and do not drive around barricades. Many roads are currently under construction. Be aware that uneven surfaces and storm drainage fixtures could be hidden beneath flood waters.
We will continue to provide updates and information as the forecast develops.
For Police & Fire Department emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111.
