Storm Shifts South, But Aberdeen Still Preps For Flooding

ABERDEEN, NJ — Hurricane Florence has now shifted south, and will likely hammer North Carolina, not New Jersey, but Aberdeen Twp. is still preparing for a possible storm surge and coastal flooding.

Aberdeen already deployed barricades to flood-prone areas following the remnants of Gordon and the recent rains this week. Those barricades are up in the area of Lakeshore Drive/Ocean Blvd. and Greenwood Ave. in the Cliffwood Beach section.

"We will leave them in position until the path of Florence is more definite," said Aberdeen Chief of Police John Powers on Wednesday. "We have been reviewing our emergency operation plans and have participated in two conference calls with the Monmouth County OEM regarding the path of Florence. We have another conference call scheduled for this afternoon."

Aberdeen sent out a "code red" alert message to residents Monday night, telling them: "Florence is expected to produce high winds, heavy rain, storm surge and flooding to our area. Residents are urged to monitor the storms progress and to being preparing by securing loose items around your home, stock piling food and water, medications, and gathering emergency equipment such as batteries, flashlights, generators, phone chargers, and battery operated radios and make sure they work. Warming stations will be available. Please contact Aberdeen Police at (732) 566-2054. Please avoid driving on flooded roads and avoid downed power lines. Please monitor Hurricane Florence as it approaches the Eastern Seaboard."

Pictured: A usual flooding spot in town: Greenwood Ave. looking towards Lakeshore Drive during flooding last March, 2018. Photo taken by Aberdeen resident Quin Bond and supplied to Patch.