Special Weather Statement: Coastal Storm

The shore communities are still expecting a strong nor’easter to bring exceptionally high wind, heavy rain and significant coastal flooding through at least three high tide cycles on Sunday and Monday.

In Ocean City, the latest predictions call for the highest flood level to come with the 2:08 p.m. high tide on Monday. If it reaches the predicted level of 7.5 feet MLW, it will surpass what Ocean City experienced with Hurricane Erin in August (7.06 feet MLW).

The other tides will rise almost as high, starting with Sunday at 1:05 p.m. (6.9 feet MLW) and then very early on Monday at 1:46 a.m. (7.0 feet MLW).

Updates and more information on the forecast, tide predictions and emergency preparation are available at ocnj.us/oem. Members of the public may sign up for emergency notifications at ocnj.us/alerts.

“Please don’t be caught off-guard,” Mayor Jay Gillian said while urging the public to take precautions. “I want everyone to be prepared to move their cars to a safe place before the water levels rise. All of our municipal parking lots are now free. While these surface lots are typically above flood levels, please be aware that access to and from them may be limited during the peak flooding times.”

The roads closer to the beach, including Central and Wesley avenues, are typically at higher elevation. Parking also will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora.

Gillian said the city has checked to make sure all of the stormwater pumping stations are fully operational.

“But I want to remind everybody that this equipment cannot prevent extreme flooding. It is designed to move floodwaters off the streets once the tides recede,” he said.

Motorists are urged to avoid traveling on Sunday and Monday, and to never drive on flooded streets.

The following closings and postponements in Ocean City have been announced during the coastal storm on Oct. 11-13:

• The Sunday matinee of the Ocean City Theatre Company’s “Ring of Fire” Johnny Cash celebration at the Music Pier is canceled. Ticketholders for Sunday’s show can get a refund and more information is available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
• The "Faith and Blue" food drive on Sunday at Ocean City's Acme locations is canceled for Sunday with a reschedule date still to be announced.
• The Making Strides for Breast Cancer event on Sunday is canceled.
• The Ocean City Community Center (including the Ocean City Free Public Library, Aquatic & Fitness Center, Senior Center, Arts Center and Historical Museum) will be closed and all programs canceled on both Sunday and Monday. It will reopen under a normal schedule on Tuesday.

The following changes to the trash and recycling schedule will be in effect for the week of Oct. 12-18:

• The trash and recycling drop-off service at the Shelter Road Recycling Center will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 12
• Monday trash and recycling routes will be postponed.
• The Shelter Road Recycling Center will be closed on Monday, Oct. 13.

The adjusted schedule for trash and recycling pickup is as follows:

• Tuesday, Oct. 14: South side of 34th Street to 59th Street
• Wednesday, Oct. 15: South side of 17th Street to north side of 34th Street
• Thursday, Oct. 16: South side of 9th Street to north side of 17th Street
• Friday, Oct. 17: South side of 3rd Street to north side of 9th Street
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Longport Bridge to north side of 3rd Street