Weather
Tidal Flooding Threatens NJ, Travel Could Be Impacted: NWS
"At this level, widespread flooding of roadways is expected with many roads becoming impassable," the NWS warns.
The National Weather Service has issued widespread alerts warning of tidal flooding throughout the region, including a coastal flood warning for some parts of the shore, as well as a coastal flood advisory in others.
A coastal flood warning — which means that moderate or major tidal flooding is occurring or imminent — has been expanded to Middlesex and Monmouth counties, and a coastal flood advisory now includes the remainder of the Tidal Delaware River above the Commodore Barry Bridge area.
The storm, which could drop more than two inches of rain on the region and bring gusty winds, comes amid a full moon.
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The coastal flood warning goes into place from Thursday evening through 2 a.m. One to two feet of saltwater inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, the NWS said.
"At this level, widespread flooding of roadways is expected with many roads becoming impassable," the agency said in its warning.
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Some damage to vulnerable structures could occur, forecasters said.
High tide on the New Jersey oceanfront occurs between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday. High tide on the back bays and on Raritan Bay occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront.
Wave heights on the ocean waters off the coast are forecast to be 5 to 7 feet. Rainfall totals could reach 2.5 inches with locally higher amounts, the NWS predicts.
In Middlesex County, minor road flooding is possible in Woodbridge Township, Perth Amboy, Old Bridge Township, and South Amboy, the NWS said.
We have upgraded Middlesex and Monmouth counties to a Coastal Flood Warning and expanded the Coastal Flood Advisory to include the remainder of the Tidal Delaware River above the Commodore Barry Bridge area. pic.twitter.com/Ek8KBN4mIW
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 21, 2019
Flood watches are also in place throughout the state and go until Friday morning.
The flooding issues will exacerbated by the full moon, forecasters say. RELATED: Spring Equinox Brings Last Supermoon Of 2019, The Full Worm Moon
As far as timing: the heavier rain will continue through 1 a.m., then expect showers through the night.
Expect showers to continue Friday. On Friday night, there is even a slight chance of late-night snow showers. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
The sun will come out Saturday, with a high in the upper 40s.
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