Flood Watch, Wind Advisory In Effect For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ - The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Ocean City from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, through 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21.

Heavy rain is expected to coincide with strong southeast winds and full-moon tides. Water levels are expected to peak in the hours around high tide on the bay side of Ocean City at about 6:40 a.m. Friday, according to a special weather statement from the city.

The National Weather Service predicts a water level of 6.1 feet on the mean low water (MLW) scale for the high tide on Friday morning. That prediction is just below the threshold of moderate coastal flooding, but conditions could be worse if heavy rain coincides with high tide. Visit www.ocnj.us/octides to compare that prediction to recent and historic tide levels.

A separate Wind Advisory warns of wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Please secure construction sites and loose objects on your property and be aware that driving conditions could be hazardous.

Residents should monitor conditions and be prepared to move vehicles from areas that typically experience flooding. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are at higher elevation. Parking will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora. Anyone who wishes to take advantage of this service is asked to read this letter from Trinity.

Residents are reminded never to drive through flood waters or around barricades. City crews were out clearing storm drains on Wednesday in advance of the storm, but residents can also prepare by making sure inlets near their home are clear of debris.

For police and fire emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111. Here's a look at the upcoming weather forecast for Ocean City, according to the NWS:

Thursday Night
Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers likely, mainly between 1pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 59. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday Night
A chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 46.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

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