A powerful Atlantic coastal storm has been battering the US East Coast for several days.
From North Carolina to New England, as coastal flooding, strong winds, and heavy rain converge, New Jersey has declared a state of emergency in 8 counties.
Flooding that repeats with each high tide and fierce waves underscore the exceptional nature of this storm.
3-Line Summary
1. New Jersey declared a state of emergency in 8 counties
2. Flooding of up to 4 feet repeats with each high tide
3. Low-lying area residents should prioritize evacuation to higher ground
State of Emergency Declared in 8 New Jersey Counties
New Jersey Governor Micky Sherill declared a state of emergency in 8 counties—Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem—due to the nor'easter expected to last from Friday night through the weekend, according to ABC7 New York. With this measure, the state emergency operations center was activated, and the state police, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation, and county disaster management agencies coordinated in response. State authorities urged residents to charge electronic devices in advance, secure outdoor items, and stockpile drinking water and food. A warning also went out not to enter flooded roads. Atlantic City Fire Department officials warned that low-lying vehicles can stall quickly on flooded roads, and attempting to escape can lead to injury accidents.
FOX 5 New York explained that nor'easter doesn't mean a snow storm, but rather the name given when an Atlantic low-pressure system pushes winds blowing from the northeast toward the coast. According to The Weather Channel, this low-pressure system began causing flooding on some coasts from Wednesday, peaked between Friday and Saturday, and is forecast to weaken somewhat by Sunday but leave rain and wind in the New England region through Monday.
Repeated Flooding at Each High Tide, Water Heights 2 to 4 Feet
The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings and advisories for Atlantic City, Long Island, the Norfolk area, Ocean City in Maryland and New Jersey, downtown Boston, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and other areas, according to The Weather Channel. From North Carolina's Outer Banks to New Jersey's coast, water levels are expected to rise approximately 60 to 120 centimeters above normal in the Virginia Tidewater and Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay areas. Such flooding repeats throughout the weekend each time high tide returns, not just once or twice a day. FOX 5 New York reported that the southern Long Island Nassau County area faces particularly elevated risk of moderate to major flooding at high tide Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Weather Channel added that Saturday is a full moon, which coincides with the month's largest tidal range, a factor cited as contributing to the flooding.
Strong Winds, High Waves, and Evacuation Orders
According to FOX 5 New York, a high-wind advisory is in effect for New Jersey's coast with sustained winds of 40 to 56 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 80 kilometers per hour, escalating to a high-wind warning through Saturday. The same outlet projected that as the low-pressure center moves toward New England, the Boston area could experience winds of 97 to 113 kilometers per hour and major storm surge. Wave heights of 2.4 to 4.6 meters are expected on the New Jersey coast, raising concerns about dangerous rip currents and severe coastal erosion. According to ABC7 New York's reporting, Manasquan, New Jersey recommended voluntary evacuation for residents in low-lying single-story buildings, particularly the elderly and those requiring special assistance, and notified that Main Street, Briel Road, and Ocean Avenue would be impassable across multiple high-tide cycles. Sea Bright residents were also advised to relocate from low-lying areas to higher ground, as the town is surrounded by seawater and combined strong winds, rain, and tidal activity could raise water levels in the bay behind it and in the Shrewsbury River.
Sources
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