A powerful nor’easter started hitting New Jersey early Sunday with bands of heavy rain and fierce winds, with the greatest concern for major Jersey Shore flooding at high tides.
“Moderate to major coastal flood impacts remain likely,” the National Weather Service said in a storm update Sunday morning. “Widespread roadway flooding and impassable roads, significant inundation of structures, and evacuations are possible.”
All 21 New Jersey counties remain under a state of emergency that took effect at 10 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service has issued high wind warnings and coastal flood warnings for multiple New Jersey counties, with wind gusts potentially reaching up to 60 mph and storm surge threatening coastal communities.
The storm will bring intense northeast winds Sunday, with the strongest impacts expected Sunday evening through early Monday morning.
Inland areas can expect wind gusts around 30 to 40 mph, bringing the potential for widespread power outages.
There is some good news in the latest forecast update. Rainfall total forecasts have continued to drop.
Most of New Jersey is now expected to get less than an inch of rain.
Counties along the Jersey Shore are now likely to get 1 to 3 inches of rain.
“Coastal areas could see a compounded impact with heavy rain on top of moderate to major tidal flooding, especially during the high tide cycle,” the weather service said.
The National Weather Service warns of potential beach erosion and possible dune breaching along the entire New Jersey Shore, with breaking waves potentially reaching 8 to 12 feet.
The next three high tides, beginning Sunday afternoon, remain the main concern for major flooding.
The high tide forecast for Atlantic City’s oceanfront is expected to reach 8.1 feet Monday afternoon, just above major flood stage, but below record levels of 9 feet.
High tides in Cape May Harbor are expected to hit major flood stage both Sunday and Monday afternoon.
Residents in coastal areas should prepare for potential power outages, flooding, and wind damage.
The National Weather Service recommends securing loose outdoor items, staying away from coastal areas during high tide, and being prepared for possible emergency evacuations.
The storm will begin to weaken and move away from New Jersey on Monday night, with conditions gradually improving by Tuesday.
High pressure will start building into the region by midweek, bringing drier and cooler conditions.
Temperatures are expected to trend below normal Thursday and Friday, with a return to more typical autumn weather by the weekend.
Current weather radar
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