Storm Brings High Wind, Coastal Flood Warnings For Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a coastal flood warning for Ocean County on Tuesday ahead of a powerful storm set to move through the area on Tuesday.

Heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding around the evening high tide area all expected as the storm moves through, with the worst of it anticipated in the early evening Tuesday through early Wednesday, the weather service said.

The coastal flood warning goes into effect at 5 p.m., and authorities in multiple towns are urging residents who live near the coast to move vehicles to higher ground. The potential for coastal flooding is expected to be the worst around the time of the evening high tide, about 5:30 p.m., the weather service said.

The high wind warning takes effect at 6 p.m., the weather service said. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph are expected, with gusts to 65 mph, the service said.

"Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible," the weather service says.

The forecast from the Mount Holly office also calls for 2 to 3 inches of rain for most of Ocean County, with the rain beginning late Tuesday morning.

"A period of higher hourly rainfall rates is possible during Tuesday night which would enhance the potential for flooding, particularly in the urban areas," the forecast says. "Tidal inundation combined with runoff in coastal areas may significantly elevate the flood risk, especially if occurring during times of high tide."

Here is the forecast for the timing of the storm, from the National Weather Service:

TUESDAY: Rain, mainly after 11 a.m. High near 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Rain mainly before 3 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 47. Very windy, with a southeast wind 30 to 40 mph decreasing to 15 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

WEDNESDAY: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 43 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.

THURSDAY: Sunny, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Mostly clear at night with a low around 28 .