Widespread Flooding Could Spread To South Jersey's Roadways, Cause Damage: Forecasters

SOUTH JERSEY — Significant coastal flooding could spread to roadways and cause some damage in South Jersey's inland communities over the coming days.

Flooding could occur early Thursday morning. But the greatest impacts are expected during high tide Thursday night to early Friday morning — partly because of strong offshore winds, according to the National Weather Service.

Camden, Gloucester and northwestern Burlington counties are under a coastal flood advisory from 2-7 a.m. Thursday and then a coastal flood watch from 2-9 a.m. Friday.

"If you live near areas prone to coastal flooding, now is the time to prepare to protect your property," said the NWS's Mount Holly office.

Showers and possible thunderstorms are also expected over the coming days.

Forecasters expect "minor" coastal flooding Thursday morning, with up to 1 foot of inundation in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. The NWS's forecast calls for "moderate" flooding Thursday night to Friday morning, with up to 2 feet of inundation in those areas.

Some roads could be impassible, and minor damage to vulnerable structures could occur, the NWS said.

Those who must travel should make extra time, since some roads may be closed. Don't drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, officials said.

You can track watches, warnings and advisories through the NWS's regional webpage.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest forecast for inland South Jersey:

• Wednesday night: A chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a chance of showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.