Manasquan Takes Steps As Hurricane Florence Nears East Coast

The storm isn't expected to directly hit New Jersey. But Jersey Shore communities taking a number of steps to prepare the beaches and local residents from the risks associated with Hurricane Florence.

Belmar, Point Pleasant Boro, Point Pleasant Beach, Asbury Park, Bay Head and Manasquan are taking steps to prevent beach erosion, caution swimmers about rip tides and deal with potential flooding.

Belmar and Asbury Park are even building dunes to deal with potential flooding. Belmar also moved its portable bathrooms from the boardwalk a month ahead of time (see videos below).

Even as the storm is turning away from New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy echoed remarks made by former Gov. Chris Christie when he said: "Please, may I ask you to get off the beach? Pretty please? Use your head."

Read more: Gov. Murphy Updates NJ On Hurricane Florence's Potential Impact

Here is what is also happening:

Manasquan

Manasquan says now is the perfect time to review your family emergency plan and make sure that you have everything in place should Florence impact the area.

Coastal residents are urged to pay close attention to the development of Florence and monitor the latest forecasts and updates. Stay tuned to 1620AM, your local media and Internet outlets for latest advisories from the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center.

If you live in or near areas prone to tidal flooding, please take the necessary actions to secure outdoor objects and move vehicles to higher ground before the high tides begin.

Residents should anticipate street flooding approximately two to three hours before and after the times of high tide, and Main Street and Brielle Road may become impassable for a period of time.

Plans should be made in advance should road closures occur. Conditions permitting, utilize First Avenue and the Ocean Avenue Bridge for access off of beach areas.

Remember to always follow instructions from police and emergency personnel on our roadways

In addition to the coastal flooding, hazardous surf has already begun to impact area beaches, and will continue through the week. Dangerous rip currents will be occurring on the beaches and swimmers are advised to stay out of the water.

Point Pleasant

The Point Pleasant Boro Office of Emergency Management, along with the mayor and council and Public Safety Department heads, continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Florence.

"As always we preach preparedness for events like these," Coordinator William Dikun says.

Although the track of Florence may remain south, the storm is still several hundred miles away and could still affect the area in other ways.

"We encourage all residents and visitors to monitor this page as well as your local weather outlets to include the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center," Dikun says.

Belmar

Belmar is monitoring the potential impacts of Hurricane Florence, anticipating winds, rain and some coastal flooding throughout the week with the height of impact on Thursday.

The town encourages all residents to take the following storm preparedness steps:

• Move your vehicle to higher ground if you live in a flood prone area.
• Secure your property of loose articles that may become airborne in winds including trash cans, patio furniture and grills.
• Ensure you have bottled water, sufficient medications and flashlights should they be needed.

In preparing the borough for the storm, Belmar Public Works and Belmar Police Department advise of the following:

• There will be NO bulk pick up this week, however regular trash and recycling are, at present, remaining on schedule.
• There should be NO brush placed out at the curb or loose on your property. There is NO brush pick up this week.
• The town anticipates repetitive road flooding and closures of Rt. 35 near L Street Beach at high tides. Please be alert and utilize alternate routes as needed.
• All beach lockers are being removed in advance of the usual September 15th deadline. The town will be moving the lockers to Shroeder Park, the triangle park at 1st Avenue & Ocean Avenue. You can find your locker there to remove its contents.
• The beachfront and marina are being secured, bathrooms are be closed and trash cans removed.
• Both lakes have been lowered so as to receive as much rainfall as possible and DPW will start construction of emergency beach berms tomorrow.
• DPW will be cleaning catch basins and jetting storm water lines throughout the event.

Here are some of the steps towns are taking at the beaches:

Photo courtesy of NBC4NY