Ocean City Mayor Warns Of Flooding Through Thursday

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is expected to see more heavy rain and flash flooding this week as remnants from Hurricane Ida move through the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Ocean City from Wednesday at 8 a.m. through Thursday at 8 a.m. In Ocean City, 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected with greater amounts possible in localized pockets.

The forecasted storm comes just days after heavy rain and high tides made many streets impassable in Ocean City on Sunday. Read more: Storm Floods Roads Throughout Ocean City

With the ground already saturated and water tables high, street flooding is possible on all areas of the island, according to Mayor Jay Gillian. Residents and visitors should be prepared to monitor conditions and move vehicles if necessary.

“Please take care of important business today and tomorrow morning, then stay off the roads when the heavy rains arrive on Wednesday late afternoon and evening,” Gillian said in a statement Tuesday.

Gillian said Ocean City police will be enforcing reckless driving laws during this week's storm after multiple cars sped through flood waters and created damaging wakes on Sunday.

“Far too many people were on the road during the height of the flooding this weekend,” Gillian said. “The wakes created by vehicles plowing quickly through flood waters can swamp other vehicles and nearby properties and cause substantial damage. Driving through flood waters is also a threat to your own safety and an easy way to ruin your own vehicle.”

The city will open all municipal parking lots, including surface lots and metered lots, for safe free parking. The parking will be free starting on Wednesday and will be available for the duration of the storm.

While these lots will offer a safe spot, flooding may block access to them during the storm, Gillian said. Driveways and street parking near mid-block are safer, if those options are available.

Parking will also be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora.

According to Gillian, the city’s pumping stations are working as designed. A dedicated pump station and drainage team monitors all 10 stations throughout the island before, during and after every storm event.

The team is investigating the area around 28th and 29th Street, as it was the last to drain on Sunday after rain subsided. They are investigating any possible issues or adjustments that need to be made.

The team is also aware of issues on the 800 block of 5th Street. Residents and guests in that area are urged to use the municipal lots near the high school or the Civic Center.

To prepare for the storm, the team is inspecting and clearing storm drains, preparing barricades and tracking the approaching weather system.

Here’s the latest forecast in Ocean City:

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 7 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 71. Southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Breezy, with an east wind around 20 mph becoming north in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.