Threat of Flooding High in Rumson

The streets of Rumson and Fair Haven were quiet early Monday afternoon, with businesses largely closed, motor vehicle traffic light and residents hunkered down in their homes or shelter.

However, the force of Hurricane Sandy is unsettling the Navesink, as docks and marinas start to take on water. The prospect of a river surge concerns Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl.

"What's really surprising us... some of the areas we evacuated (Sunday) were flooding at low tide," Ekdahl said.

Rumson experienced 12-foot tides early Monday, the mayor said. "We came near records this morning."

As Sandy tracks to impact southern New Jersey perhaps more significantly than Monmouth County and points north, the mayor is largely concerned with "significantly higher tides and winds," explaining the borough Office of Emergency Management does not expect the amount of rain as experienced during Hurricane Irene.

As in Fair Haven, Rumson's emergency management officials are in constant contact today and have joined conference calls with the governor's office to ensure cooperation should conditions worsen.

Rumson has extra police patrolling the streets, and the Department of Public Works will be working around the clock to respond to incidents.

Residents of any low-lying areas of Rumson who have not evacuated are urged to make their way to Rumson-Fair Haven High School, which serves as a "holding area" before transport to Monmouth University.

The following areas are under a mandatory evacuation: 

West Park, Barley Point, Black Point Horseshoe, Shrewsbury Drive, Avenue of 2 Rivers South, Oyster Bay Drive, Riversedge Drive, Harbor Drive, Water Way, eastern end of Holly Tree Lane, and northern end of Windmill, Tyson and North Ward Avenue.

Residents who experience power outages or those who need to report a downed pole or lines should contact JCP&L at 888-544-4877. If Rumson police are needed, call 732-842-0500. To report an emergency to Fair Haven police, call 732-747-0991. Residents should not contact police to report power problems.