Coastal Flood Advisory Issued For Ocean County; Sheriff Urges Awareness

The Ocean County sheriff's office is warning residents to pay close attention to the weather over the next two days as a nor'easter moves up the coast.

"Please monitor the weather and strong winds for the next 48 hours and allow for extra time driving," the office said in a post on Facebook.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory that will be in effect from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday for coastal towns from Middlesex County to Atlantic County.

"Areas of minor flooding are expected with the high tide early on Monday morning," forecasters said. "Widespread minor flooding is anticipated with the high tide late on Monday afternoon into Monday evening, with localized moderate flooding possible at that time."

High tide will occur between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Monday and again between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., with high tide in the back bays occurring later. A potential storm surge of 2.0 to 2.5 feet above the astronomical tide is possible Monday morning, with one of 3.0 to 4.0 feet above the astronomical tide in the afternoon.

Localized road flooding is expected in the morning, with additional roads anticipated to flood late afternoon into the evening. The late day flooding may be compounded by heavy rain, forecasters said.

Lingering minor tidal flooding is possible Tuesday morning as well, forecasters said.

Motorists are reminded to not drive through flood waters as the water may be deeper than it appears.

Dunes built up on the beach in Ortley Beach in advance of the coming nor'easter, via the Toms River municipal Facebook page.