Mayor Gillian Provides Update on Tropical Storm Hermine's Possible Impact On Ocean City

Ocean City, NJ -- It now appears as though the biggest impact to Ocean City from Tropical Storm Hermine will be felt Sunday night and Monday morning, Mayor Jay Gillian said Saturday afternoon.

"Forecasters remain uncertain about the exact track of the storm, but they predict, under any scenario, that Ocean City will experience high winds, rough surf and widespread flooding," Gillian said in a statement released around 4 p.m, Saturday. "I urge you all to take every precaution to remain safe and to protect your vehicles and property."

The ocean remains closed to swimming for the rest of the Labor Day Weekend, Gillian said.

City officials are encouraging all guests who do not need to be on the island to return to the mainland. Residents who live in areas prone to flooding should begin to make arrangements with friends and families, if possible.

Those who remain on the island are urged to move vehicles from areas that typically experience flooding well in advance of high tides.

High tides on the bay side of Ocean City are expected at 10:24 p.m. Saturday; at 10:52 a.m. and 11:02 p.m. Sunday; and at 11:32 a.m. and 11:40 p.m. Monday. Flooding may occur if heavy rain coincides with these tides.

The city will waive fees at parking meters and municipal parking lots during the storm. Parking also is available at Trinity United Methodist Church in Marmora (20 North Shore Road).

No evacuation order was in place as of 11 a.m. Saturday morning, but Gov. Chris Christie did declare a State of Emergency for Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties Saturday afternoon.

“Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to pass close to Ocean City, and strong winds, rough surf, heavy rain and widespread flooding are imminent,” officials said in a statement. “Conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the entire holiday weekend.”

“I encourage everybody to closely monitor weather conditions and follow us on Facebook, ocnj.us and OCTV-97 for important updates,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said. “For those of you without Internet access, we will issue Code Red emergency alerts by telephone.

“Do not drive through floodwaters – for your safety, the protection of your vehicle and to protect properties near flooded roadways from damage.”

According to the National Weather Service, Tropical storm conditions remain possible in Ocean City through Wednesday. Here's the latest forecast:

Tonight: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of showers, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind 29 to 39 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday: Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. North wind 33 to 38 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers likely before 9pm, then rain likely after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind 35 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Labor Day: Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of rain before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

In Cape May County, Lower Township officials called for voluntary evacuations, as storm effects were expected to begin Saturday and become heavier Sunday and Monday.

In Atlantic County, Brigantine and Ventnor were calling for voluntary evacuations late Saturday night or Sunday morning, following that island's high tide at the latest.

Earlier on Saturday, it was announced that shelters had opened in Cape May and Atlantic counties.

Two shelters have been opened in Cape May County, including at the Woodbine Developmental Center, 1175 Dehirsch Avenue; and Upper Township Middle School, 525 Perry Road in Woodbine.

However, Atlantic County officials announced late Saturday afternoon that there were no shelters opened at this time, but that municipal officials would announce shelter locations if they became necessary.

"We are recommending residents and visitors located in flood prone areas, specifically areas that flooded during Sandy and Jonas, to consider moving out of harm's way and at a minimum moving their vehicles to higher ground," Atlantic County Spokeswoman Linda Gilmore said Saturday afternoon. " The governor has issued a state of emergency but no mandatory evacuations or travel bans in place at this time."

As voluntary evacuations began, the roads began to become clogged early Saturday afternoon, but that congestion appeared to have cleared by 4 p.m., according to 511nj.org.

The attached image is an Ocean City Patch file photo