A National Weather Service graphic shows the flood-prone areas this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect for Ocean City, Strathmere and nearby coastal areas from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Strengthening northeast winds and exceptionally high tides approaching a new moon on Friday will combine to cause minor flooding through multiple morning tide cycles this week. The advisory is likely to be further extended.
Water levels are predicted to crest in the hours around high tide on the bay side (Ninth Street Bridge) of Ocean City at 5:47 a.m. Wednesday. High tide on the bay side of Strathmere near Corson’s Inlet is at 5:26 a.m. Wednesday.
The NWS predicts a water level of 5.8 feet on the mean low water scale (MLW) for Wednesday morning. By comparison, the water level reached 5.65 feet MLW on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Visit www.ocnj.us/octides to compare this prediction to other recent and historic tide levels.
High tide at 6:40 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 8) is expected to reach 5.6 feet MLW, and the Friday morning (Feb. 9) high tide at 7:29 a.m. is predicted to be at 5.7 feet MLW.
Residents should be prepared to move vehicles to safe places before going to bed on Tuesday night. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are typically at higher elevation.
Parking at all municipal lots in Ocean City is free. Parking also will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora (please read 
Paid for by Michael DeVlieger
