Nor’easter Pounds South Jersey Shore as Major Flooding, 60-MPH Winds Threaten Weekend

Flooding was already affecting Atlantic City and Ocean City before the storm’s most dangerous Saturday tide cycle, while forecasters warn the slow-moving nor’easter will continue bringing rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and additional coastal flooding into Sunday.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A powerful nor’easter is battering the South Jersey Shore Saturday morning, with flooding already reported in Atlantic City and Ocean City and forecasters warning that some of the storm’s most serious impacts could still be ahead.

The National Weather Service has a Coastal Flood Warning in effect for Atlantic and Cape May counties through 2 p.m. Sunday, with 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday for coastal portions of Atlantic and Cape May counties. North winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph are possible.

The combination of persistent onshore winds, repeated high tides and rough seas has been pushing water into the back bays for several days, preventing water from fully draining between tide cycles.

And Saturday morning could bring the highest water yet.

Major Flooding Forecast Saturday Morning

The latest National Weather Service tidal forecast calls for the Atlantic City gauge to reach approximately 8.1 feet MLLW around Saturday morning’s high tide.

Major flood stage at Atlantic City begins at 8 feet.

For comparison, the gauge reached moderate flood levels Friday evening, when water inundated streets across parts of Atlantic City.

The National Weather Service says flooding at the levels forecast Saturday could become severe enough to cause structural damage, widespread roadway flooding and isolation of some locations.

The Saturday evening high tide is also expected to be significant, with the Atlantic City gauge forecast around 7.8 feet, within moderate flood stage.

Sunday morning currently looks less severe, with the Atlantic City tide forecast around 6.8 feet, which would fall within minor flood stage.

Those numbers are forecasts and can change as the storm evolves.

Flooding Already Hit Atlantic City Friday Night

The storm was already making its presence felt well before Saturday morning.

Friday evening's high tide produced significant street flooding in Atlantic City, particularly in neighborhoods closer to the back bay.

Flooding was reported along Melrose and Madison avenues and portions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine avenues.

Route 40 also became affected by floodwater near West End Avenue, prompting police to block a portion of the roadway.

Large waves were pounding Atlantic City's beaches as strong north and northeast winds continued pushing ocean water toward the coast.

The National Weather Service says the prolonged onshore flow is allowing water to pile up in tidal tributaries and back bays — one reason successive high tides can become progressively more problematic during a long-duration storm.

Ocean City Braces for High Water

Ocean City also experienced substantial street flooding Friday evening.

Residents in flood-prone neighborhoods moved vehicles to higher ground, while some homeowners used sandbags to protect properties as water covered low-lying streets.

Beach erosion was already visible Friday as large waves pounded the coastline, including sections of beach that recently underwent replenishment.

Ocean City officials have made all municipal parking lots free for the weekend to give residents an opportunity to move vehicles away from flood-prone streets.

The city's pumping stations are operational, Public Works crews have been working to keep drainage outfalls clear, and Beach Patrol equipment was removed from the beaches ahead of the storm.

Mayor Jay Gillian warned residents Friday that persistent north and northeast winds were causing water to accumulate in the back bays and lowest portions of the island.

The city's outdoor recreation programs and activities for the weekend have been canceled.

Saturday: Rain, Powerful Winds and Repeated Flooding

Saturday is expected to remain stormy throughout the day.

Periods of rain will continue, while the strongest winds will remain concentrated near the coast.

The High Wind Warning calls for sustained north winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts reaching 60 mph in coastal Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Those winds are strong enough to bring down trees and power lines.

The National Weather Service warns that widespread power outages are possible, although that is a forecast threat and not an indication that widespread outages have already occurred locally.

Travel could also become difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles.

Conditions on the ocean will be exceptionally dangerous.

A Storm Warning is in effect for the coastal waters, where north winds of 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 60 knots are forecast Saturday.

Offshore seas could reach 12 to 16 feet.

A High Surf Advisory remains in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday, with breaking waves reaching approximately 9 feet in the surf zone.

Significant beach erosion is expected, and the National Weather Service says dune breaching is possible.

Saturday Night: Another Dangerous Tide

The danger will not end when Saturday morning's water begins receding.

Another high tide arrives Saturday evening, and current projections indicate moderate coastal flooding could occur again.

At Atlantic City, the National Weather Service forecasts approximately 7.8 feet MLLW during the evening tide cycle.

Rain will continue Saturday night, with north winds remaining strong. Coastal gusts could still reach approximately 50 mph.

Ocean City’s next Saturday high tide is around 8:50 p.m., while the timing varies somewhat elsewhere along the coast and back bays.

Because water may have difficulty draining between tide cycles, residents in traditionally flood-prone neighborhoods should not assume the threat is over after Saturday morning.

Sunday: Flooding Threat Gradually Eases

The nor’easter will remain a problem Sunday, but conditions should begin a gradual improvement.

Rain is expected to continue for much of the day.

Winds will shift more toward the northwest, which should eventually help stop the persistent flow of water toward the coast.

However, Sunday morning will bring another high-tide cycle.

The latest National Weather Service forecast puts the Atlantic City gauge near 6.8 feet, or minor flood stage, Sunday morning.

The Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Sunday.

Winds could still gust to around 45 mph over the coastal waters Sunday morning before gradually diminishing.

Seas will remain extremely rough, initially running approximately 6 to 9 feet offshore.

The High Surf Advisory and high rip-current risk continue through Sunday evening.

By Sunday night, winds and seas should continue subsiding as the worst coastal impacts finally begin to diminish.

Rainfall Increasing as Storm Moves Closer

Rainfall has also become a greater part of the forecast as computer models have shifted the storm closer to the coast.

The National Weather Service says the nor’easter is expected to move north before bending back toward New Jersey during the weekend.

The latest guidance has brought the storm's center closer to the coast, increasing expected rainfall.

Several inches of rain are possible across parts of New Jersey through the weekend.

Because that rain is expected over an extended period rather than falling all at once, widespread freshwater flash flooding is not currently considered the primary threat along the Shore.

But additional runoff could make existing tidal flooding worse, particularly in areas where storm drains have difficulty clearing water during elevated tides.

A Long-Duration Storm

Unlike a fast-moving coastal storm, this nor’easter is creating problems over multiple days.

Strong north and northeast winds have repeatedly pushed water toward the coast, while astronomical tides are also elevated.

That combination has produced successive rounds of flooding and prevented some back-bay communities from fully draining between high tides.

The National Weather Service warns residents not to drive through flooded roadways, even when the water appears shallow.

Floodwater can conceal damaged pavement, and vehicles can stall or become stranded in surprisingly little water.

Residents should also secure outdoor furniture, trash cans and other loose objects that could become airborne in strong winds.

With additional high tides still ahead, officials are urging residents in flood-prone neighborhoods to leave vehicles on higher ground through the weekend.

For South Jersey, the storm's most immediate danger Saturday morning remains major coastal flooding, followed by another potentially significant tide Saturday evening.

Conditions should gradually improve Sunday, but the Shore is unlikely to be completely out of the storm's grip until Sunday night and Monday.