Tropical Storm Henri Floods Roads On Long Beach Island

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ — Several roads across Long Beach Island were impassable on Sunday due to heavy rain from Tropical Storm Henri, police said.

In the past 48 hours, 5.96 inches of rain fell in the Loveladies area, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Further south, 8.11 inches of rain inundated Surf City.

Long Beach Boulevard was closed north and southbound from 30th Street to 70th Street early Sunday.

Ship Bottom police urged motorists to avoid backroads and use only major roads for travel.

Some flooding on LBI NJ in the aftermath of Henri-related storms last night #Henri #HurricaneHenri pic.twitter.com/0YLxQgRjbc
— Chris Hackett, MS (@chackettwrites) August 22, 2021

Police received several complaints of vehicles driving the wrong direction down eastbound and westbound Route 72 to avoid flooding.

“Do NOT travel the wrong way on any roadway,” police said. “If you need assistance with ways off, on, or around LBI please call or flag us down. We will help you. It’s better to meet us that way rather than at a head on collision.”

More rain could add problems for areas along northern portions of the Barnegat Bay on Monday afternoon. According to a coastal flood statement from the National Weather Service, minor roadway flooding is possible through 4 p.m. this afternoon.

These areas could see up to one foot of inundation above ground level in low- lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, the NWS reports.

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