STORM WATCH

Coastal storm to cause flooding, beach erosion

Amanda Oglesby
@OglesbyAPP

A coastal storm will bring flooding, heavy rain, high winds and beach erosion to the Jersey Shore on Monday.

Coastal communities from Long Beach Island northward are predicted to face some of the storm's strongest impacts, according to The National Weather Service station in Mount Holly.

A portion of the roof membrane atop the Oceanview Towers on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch was blown away during heavy winds Monday morning, January 23, 2017.

The station has issued a high wind warning, wind advisories and a coastal flood advisory for the region.

The storm will bring sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph along the coast, said Mitchell Gaines, meteorologist at the weather station. Those winds could lead to power outages, he said.

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Monday's high tides, coupled with the potential for 2 to 3 inches of rain along the coast, could mean widespread minor flooding in rivers, areas along the coast and places with poor drainage. Areas of higher, moderate flooding also are possible, according to the weather service.

The heaviest rainfall is expected to affect coastal Ocean County.

“Beach erosion is definitely a possibility as well," said Gaines, and added that it could be "significant."

In Brick, where some waterfront communities are at risk for flooding, Mayor John G. Ducey said preparations for the storm were underway on Sunday.

"We have all of our emergency high water vehicles prepared to go into action if necessary," he said in an email. "They are located strategically throughout the town."

Gaines said the storm's flooding potential is not as strong as it could be in different circumstances.

“The astronomical tides are running lower than normal," he said. “We basically have more of a buffer... It’ll take more additional water coming in to create tidal flooding issues.”

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Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said his staff is ready to deal with any situations that may arise.

"We do have emergency management personnel coming in early," he said. "And we put on some extra 911 assistance.”

Gaines said Monday's high winds could result in power outages, so residents should allow extra time to reach destinations by car and have emergency supplies ready in case of power outages.

Winds will linger Tuesday, but be slower, Gaines said. Sunny skies and high temperatures in the 50s are expected to return by Wednesday, he said.

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Amanda Oglesby: 732-557-5701; aoglesby@GannettNJ.com