Point Pleasant Nor'easter Impact: Rain, Snow, Possible Flooding

POINT PLEASANT – A “major" nor'easter hit Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Boro on Wednesday and Thursday, producing some snow and heavy rain. Flooding was possible.

The National Weather Service labeled the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it was expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday.

Point Pleasant Boro and Point Pleasant Beach schools have decided to switch to all-remote on Thursday. Read more: Point Boro, Point Beach Schools Go Remote Due To Nor'easter

Several inches of snow did fall in the area. Read more: Snow Totals, Town-By-Town, For Nor'easter On Wednesday And Thursday

Fewer than 10 power outages were reported in the area.

A high wind warning was in effect for sustained onshore winds of 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

A coastal flood warning was in effect for widespread moderate coastal flooding Thursday morning.

Tides / Coastal Flooding:

• Minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected around Wednesday's high tide, which was to occur at the Manasquan Inlet at 9 p.m.
• Surge values will continue to build overnight and are forecast to peak around 4 feet during the early morning hours. The closer the surge peak occurs in relation to tomorrow morning's high tide, the higher the flooding we will observe.
• Widespread moderate coastal flooding was possible with Thursday morning's high tide which occurs at 9:20 a.m.

Here's what could happen on Thursday:

Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra said snow probably will not have a significant impact on his community, but Point Pleasant Beach is ready with plows just in case.

As of Wednesday evening, he said there were no significant impacts.

"The real threat may be small, localized flooding," he said. "We are putting out a reverse 911 call letting residents in flood-prone areas know they can relocate their vehicles to the train station lot if needed."

The storm was expected to be fierce enough to produce plowable snow or possible flooding and more was expected to arrive overnight and into Thursday (see the forecast below).

Here were the expected snow totals:

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency For NJ Nor'easter Snow

AccuWeather was saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

AccuWeather warned of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday night: Rain and snow, then rain after midnight. The rain, snow, and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.
• Thursday: Snow likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.