OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City residents are being urged to prepare for significant tidal flooding this weekend after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration raised its forecast for high water beginning Friday night.
In a message to residents, Mayor Jay Gillian said the updated projection could bring the city's highest water level since the January 2016 nor'easter known as Jonas.
"If the tidal forecast is accurate, Ocean City would see the highest water level since the nor'easter 'Jonas' in January 2016," Gillian wrote. He said that storm "registered 7.66 feet on the mean low water (MLW) scale, and the forecast now calls for a water level of 7.4 feet for the high tide at 8:31 a.m. on Saturday morning."
Gillian wrote that Friday night's high tide at 8:11 p.m. is predicted at 6.9 feet. The National Weather Service forecast calls for 7.0 feet on Saturday evening at 8:50 p.m. and 7.2 feet on Sunday morning at 9:09 a.m., according to the message. He also wrote that the projections are much higher than expected earlier in the day and that many more streets are now expected to see significant flooding.
"New Jersey has declared a state of emergency effective at 5 p.m.," Gillian wrote. He asked residents to move vehicles from flood-prone streets before the high tides and to help neighbors and visitors who may not know which parts of Ocean City typically flood.
"The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are typically at higher elevation," Gillian wrote. He said parking will be free in municipal lots in the city through Sunday, though access near high tide may be limited even in lots above flood level. Parking also will be available at Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora, with drivers asked to use the unpaved area behind the church and leave paved spaces for the congregation.
Gillian wrote that residents may want to prepare ground-level garages and storage areas and move items off the ground. He also said police and fire departments are prepared with high-water rescue vehicles, while urging people not to put themselves in danger.
"The latest information on the forecast, tide times, water level predictions and safe parking is always available at ocnj.us/oem," Gillian wrote. He told residents he would provide further updates as needed throughout the weekend.
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