Tropical Storm Warning In Effect For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for Ocean City as Tropical Storm Elsa moves toward the Garden State.

The warning is in effect throughout the New Jersey coastline, as well as a flash flood watch for the entire state through Friday morning. Severe thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, excessive heat and possible tornadoes are in the forecast. Read more: Tropical Storm Elsa In NJ: Flash Flood Watch, Severe Storms

The storm is expected to impact Ocean City from Thursday evening through Friday morning.

City officials expect the main threat of Storm Elsa to be heavy rainfall, with 2 to 4 inches predicted and up to 6 inches possible in spots. Tidal waters are not expected to reach flood levels in Ocean City.

Forecasters predict southern winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph as of Thursday afternoon.

Officials are urging residents and guests to closely monitor the forecast and weather conditions.

“Flooding from heavy rain can impact parts of the island that don’t typically experience tidal flooding,” officials announced Thursday. “Downpours associated with the storm could flood streets, and flooding could be worse during high tides at 8:11 p.m. Thursday and 8:40 a.m. Friday, though the wind and rain are expected to peak near low tide at 2:47 a.m. Friday.”

Residents should be prepared to move vehicles into driveways or toward mid-block on the streets in advance of these tides and downpours.

The roads closer to the beach, including Central and Wesley avenues, are at higher elevation. Parking is also available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora.

Officials are urging people to swim only at beaches guarded by the Ocean City Beach Patrol, and stay out of the water if the OCBP closes beaches as ocean conditions are expected to become dangerous as the storm approaches.

People should not to drive through flood waters or around barricades. Call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 72. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming east 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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