Toms River Offers Sand Bags, Urges Precautions As Ida Moves North

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River emergency management officials are urging residents to take precautions as the remnants of Hurricane Ida move into New Jersey overnight and through Wednesday.

"TODAY is the day to prepare," the Toms River Office of Emergency Management said on its Facebook page. "The primary threat will be flooding, so if you live in an area that typically floods, consider moving your vehicle tomorrow to an area out of harm's way."

The parking lot at Castle Park on Oak Avenue, across from the Toms River Police Department, will be available for parking.

Officials are offering unfilled sand bags for those in low-lying areas. You can call 732-341-3267 to reserve bags.

Emergency management officials also warned residents about the potential for falling trees or tree limbs, "as the ground is still saturated from Henri."

The National Weather Service forecast for the area is calling for several inches of rain from Ida, which has been downgraded to a tropical depression, and a flash flood watch is in effect for Ocean County starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Read more: All Of NJ Under Flash Flood Watch As Ida Approaches: See Forecast

The service's Mount Holly office said the anticipated rainfall "would cause problems in almost any situation," but because the ground is already saturated — Ocean County has received 2.6 inches more rainfall over the last 30 days than the normal amount for August, more than 50 percent more rain than usual — flooding problems "will likely be enhanced."

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