State Of Emergency Declared Ahead Of Nor'easter Slamming NJ: Latest Updates

A State of Emergency will go into effect for all of New Jersey Saturday night as a strong, dangerous nor'easter gears up to hammer the state with 60 mph wind gusts, moderate to major coastal flooding and several inches of heavy rain, according to the latest forecast.

"Starting on Sunday, a dangerous coastal storm will begin to move past our state with extreme weather conditions for several counties, especially those on the Shore," said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. "In preparation for this storm, I am issuing a State of Emergency for all 21 counties out of an abundance of caution, authorizing our state’s emergency services personnel to activate as necessary. I urge all New Jerseyans to exercise caution, monitor local weather forecasts and warnings, stay informed on evacuation protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary."

It goes into effect 10 p.m. Saturday and will end when it is determined an emergency no longer exists.

The storm's exact track and intensity is still uncertain, but even a weaker storm could still have significant impacts along the shoreline, forecasters said.

"This will be a damaging storm for some along the Atlantic coast," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. The immediate shore is most at risk with this storm, forecasters warn.

Everything will start to go downhill Saturday night, when rain moves into the region and winds start to pick up. By daybreak Sunday, wind gusts will be nearing 40 to 50 mph, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The storm, which the National Weather Service is calling "potentially significant," will grow in strength Sunday into early next week.

"The primary impacts will be from coastal flooding, beach erosion, dune breaching, strong to potentially damaging winds, and heavy rain," the National Weather Service said. "The heaviest rainfall and strongest winds are still anticipated to be near the Atlantic coast."

Barrier island communities and low-lying areas that usually take on water during storms are most at risk here.

Tides are expected to reach 1 to 3 feet above normal. A Coastal Flood Watch will be in place from Sunday morning through Monday evening in Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, southeastern Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Sustained strong winds will reach 30 to 40 mph, possibly near 50 mph at the immediate coast, with gusts possibly near 60 to 70 mph along the coast by Sunday afternoon, Sunday night and early Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Gusts inland could reach upward of 30 to 50 mph.

A widespread 1 to 3 inches of rain is forecast across the entire region, with locally higher amounts of 3 to 5 inches possible especially near the coast.

"While that sounds like a lot, it is important to keep in mind that this will be falling over a 36 to 48 hour period," National Weather Service forecasters said. "It has been quite dry as well."

Flooding due to heavy rain alone is expected to be limited to poor drainage and urban areas. But that much rainfall could worsen coastal flooding with moderate to major impacts already expected.

Since the storm is still evolving, not all details are set in stone. Patch will share updates as they become available.